By Philip Newman
The state Senate has approved Thomas Prendergast as chairman of the MTA.
Prendergast had served as Metropolitan Transportation Authority interim executive director since Dec. 31, when Joseph Lhota resigned to run for mayor.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo nominated him as MTA chairman April 12.
“As interim executive, Tom was vital to the recovery of the MTA after Superstorm Sandy and will continue to play a crucial role in making the MTA more modern, efficient and storm-ready,” Cuomo said.
Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr. (R-Merrick), chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, praised Prendergast’s “extensive professional experience, both within the MTA and in other public and private sector transportation positions.”
Prendergast becomes the seventh MTA chairman since 1996, in a succession that includes Lhota, Jay Walder, Dale Hemmerdinger, Peter Kalikow, Virgil Conway and Peter Stangl.
Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer had been the acting MTA chairman until Prendergast was approved.
Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at timesledgernews@cnglocal.com or phone at 718-260-4536.
