New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced the creation of a search panel that would assist in finding a new Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) chief.

The MTA Search Advisory Committee will assist in recommending and evaluating candidates to replace outgoing Chairman/CEO Jay Walder.

"This committee will help conduct a national and international search to find and recommend the most talented candidates for the next chairman of the MTA," said Gov. Cuomo. "I am committed to appointing a new chairman who will put straphangers first and who will continue to reform the MTA by reducing costs and waste, while improving efficiency and service."

The advisory committee is comprised of leading public transportation experts and management professionals in the public and private sectors. An executive search and recruitment firm, Krauthamer & Associates, has been engaged to assist in the process. The Governor's appointment of an MTA chairman is subject to Senate confirmation.

Members of the Committee include Mortimer Downey, former deputy secretary, U.S. DOT; Gene Russianoff, senior attorney, NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign; and Rodney Slater, partner, Patton Boggs, who served as secretary of the U.S. DOT during the Clinton Administration.