Transdev announced that former Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Rich Davey has joined the company as VP, business development. Davey brings with him more than 15 years of rapidly progressing roles and responsibilities in the Massachusetts DOT, the MBTA and Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad.

Serving as Secretary/CEO of the Massachusetts Port Authority, and in Gov. DeVal Patrick’s cabinet, Davey led numerous initiatives to improve multiple aspects of transportation for the 6.7 million residents of Massachusetts. In a time of waning support for transit dollars, Davey spearheaded the governor’s public campaign to raise revenue. The gas tax was successfully raised for the first time in 23 years, which provided stable operating budgets and the largest statewide investment in transit in the commonwealth’s history.

Davey also led successful responses during times of chaos and tragedy. He oversaw department planning, preparation and coordination with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency during two historic blizzards, Hurricane Irene, Superstorm Sandy and the Boston Marathon bombings.

“Rich carries one of the most impressive resumes in transportation backed with impressive accomplishments. His creative policy approaches in Massachusetts helped solve some the state’s largest transportation challenges and make him a perfect fit for Transdev,” said Transdev North America CEO Mark Joseph. “Transdev is poised to expand our successful public-private operating partnerships and Rich’s breadth and depth of knowledge on transportation issues make him the perfect ambassador to help us bring this pioneering model to other cities."

Davey previously served as the GM of the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad when Transdev was the leading partner in MBCR, which operated the railway. There, he implemented operational improvements that resulted in a 40% year-over-year decline in customer complaints in 2009.