MassDOT's Davey to step down Nov. 1

Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Richard Davey will resign his position effective Nov. 1, Gov. Deval Patrick announced on Friday.

Patrick also announced that he would appoint Massachusetts Highway Administration Frank Depaola as MassDOT's acting secretary and CEO for the remainder of Patrick's term, which ends in January.

"Rich Davey has been a key member of my team and one of the finest transportation leaders the commonwealth has ever had," Patrick said in a prepared statement posted on the MassDOT blog. "He has been instrumental in our work to provide every region of this state with a safer, more efficient transportation system, a growing economy and a better quality of life."

Prior to becoming transportation secretary in September 2011, Davey served as the general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). He previously was GM of the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail Co., Massachusetts' former commuter-rail provider.

Davey helped lead the Patrick administration's push for tax increases to pay for transportation infrastructure projects. He oversaw an effort to deliver projects faster than before. For example, under the Accelerated Bridge Program and other construction techniques, bridges were replaced in days instead of years. He applied technology to improve customer service and satisfaction, the blog reported.

Davey said he will spend some time traveling abroad with his wife, then will explore new career opportunities.

DePaola has led the the Highway Division since April 2011. A civil engineer, he served for two years as assistant GM for design and construction at MBTA prior to his appointment.