Mortimer L. Downey
Encyclopedia
Mortimer Leo Downey, III (born August 9, 1936 in Springfield, Massachusetts
) was the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation from 1993 to 2001, making him the longest-serving person to ever hold the post. Downey was originally appointed to the position at the beginning of the Clinton administration, and additionally served as Acting Secretary of Transportation for the first four days of the Bush administration, from January 21, 2001 to January 24, 2001. Prior to his service as Deputy Secretary of Transportation, he was Executive Director
and Chief Financial Officer
of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). During the Carter Administration, from 1977 to 1981, Downey served in the Department of Transportation as Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs. Prior to that appointment, Downey was the first transportation program analyst for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Budget
. He also held various positions at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
.
He was on the Obama transition team, and the subject of speculation as a possible Obama Transportation Secretary.
He joined WMATA's board of directors
in January, 2010.
An alumnus of Phillips Academy
in Andover, MA, Downey graduated magna cum laude from Yale University
in 1958, and received a master's of public administration
from New York University
in 1966. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, attaining the rank
of Lieutenant Commander
. Today, Downey is a transportation consultant.
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
) was the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation from 1993 to 2001, making him the longest-serving person to ever hold the post. Downey was originally appointed to the position at the beginning of the Clinton administration, and additionally served as Acting Secretary of Transportation for the first four days of the Bush administration, from January 21, 2001 to January 24, 2001. Prior to his service as Deputy Secretary of Transportation, he was Executive Director
Executive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
and Chief Financial Officer
Chief financial officer
The chief financial officer or Chief financial and operating officer is a corporate officer primarily responsible for managing the financial risks of the corporation. This officer is also responsible for financial planning and record-keeping, as well as financial reporting to higher management...
of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). During the Carter Administration, from 1977 to 1981, Downey served in the Department of Transportation as Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs. Prior to that appointment, Downey was the first transportation program analyst for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Budget
United States House Committee on the Budget
The U.S. House Committee on the Budget, commonly known as the House Budget Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress...
. He also held various positions at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state port district, established in 1921 through an interstate compact, that runs most of the regional transportation infrastructure, including the bridges, tunnels, airports, and seaports, within the Port of New York and New Jersey...
.
He was on the Obama transition team, and the subject of speculation as a possible Obama Transportation Secretary.
He joined WMATA's board of directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
in January, 2010.
An alumnus of Phillips Academy
Phillips Academy
Phillips Academy is a selective, co-educational independent boarding high school for boarding and day students in grades 9–12, along with a post-graduate year...
in Andover, MA, Downey graduated magna cum laude from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in 1958, and received a master's of public administration
Master of Public Administration
The Master of Public Administration is a professional post-graduate degree in Public Administration. The MPA program prepares individuals to serve as managers in the executive arm of local, state/provincial, and federal/national government, and increasingly in nongovernmental organization and...
from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
in 1966. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, attaining the rank
Military rank
Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms...
of Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
. Today, Downey is a transportation consultant.