| Frank DePaola has worn many hats during his public sector service in Massachusetts, and he’s about to try on a new one thanks to a secret vote that went down Tuesday night.
Without gathering for a meeting, the seven-member Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board voted unanimously to name DePaola as interim manager of the MBTA, the Baker administration announced.
The transit authority in recent weeks has been overwhelmed by record snow levels that have led to reduced service options for riders.
In the midst of the crisis, MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott announced she plans to step down in April. DePaola’s appointment is set to take effect on March 4, although Scott still plans to remain at the MBTA until April to assist with transitions.
Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack, who sits on the MassDOT Board, on Wednesday also announced that Thomas Tinlin, former transportation commissioner for the city of Boston, will step into DePaola’s current role and serve as acting highway administrator. Tinlin is MassDOT’s chief of highway operations and maintenance. His appointment also takes effect on March 4.
DePaola has previously worked overseeing construction for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, as the MBTA’s assistant general manager for design and construction, and recently as acting state transportation secretary.
According to MassDOT, its board is allowed to appoint a general manager of the MBTA through "unanimous written consent by the members of the board" and that consent was obtained late Tuesday night.
Former Boston Redevelopment Authority Director Paul Barrett last week was named by Gov. Charlie Baker to lead an examination of the MBTA, which will be the subject of a Senate oversight committee hearing at the State House on Thursday.
DePaola’s appointment was announced with a press release, which included statements of support for him from Pollack and Scott. Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr separately applauded the appointment.
In a statement, DePaola said he was "excited" to take on the job and to work with the panel examining the causes of the transit system’s recent poor performance.
"Once the issues are diagnosed, I look forward to helping implement a strategy to restore our system to full strength, and restoring our customers’ faith in our ability to provide safe, reliable, efficient transit service," DePaola said in a statement.
