Tom Prendergast attends Grand Central Terminal 100th Anniversary Celebration at Grand Central Terminal on February 1, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
The state Senate has confirmed Thomas Prendergast as the new chairman and CEO of the Metropolitan Transit Authority.
Prendergast previously served as president of MTA New York City Transit for three years and president of the Long Island Rail Road for six years. He has been serving as MTA Interim Executive Director since January. He replaces Joseph Lhota who stepped down late last year to run for mayor.
Prendergast was nominated by Governor Andrew Cuomo in April and was unanimously approved by the state Senate on Thursday night.
“Tom Prendergast has a proven track record of leadership and transportation expertise, especially when it comes to the managing the vast transportation network of the MTA,” Cuomo said in a statement. “As Interim Executive Director, Tom was vital to the recovery of the MTA after Superstorm Sandy and he will continue to play a crucial role in making the MTA more modern, efficient and storm ready.”
Prendergast is a native of Chicago and began his career at the Chicago Transit Authority in 1975.
