Governor Maura Healey has made her pick for the individual set to navigate the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Association (MBTA) into its next phase of service. Announcing her choice today, Healey appointed Thomas M. McGee as the new Chair of the MBTA Board of Directors, according to Mass.gov. McGee will be taking over from current Chair Thomas P. Glynn, who will be stepping down effective November 1, 2024, following a tenure that saw a significant transformation in the transit agency's operations.
In her statement, Governor Healey expressed her gratitude to Glynn for his commitment and contributions: "I’m deeply grateful to Tom Glynn for his lifetime of service to the people of Massachusetts, and particularly for his leadership as Chair of the MBTA Board of Directors." Healey touched upon the transformative work done under Glynn's chairmanship, which included improvements to safety, reliability, the introduction of a low-income fares program, and more. According to McGee, he plans to "deliver on our promise of a world-class public transportation system that we can all be proud of," as noted by Mass.gov.
McGee isn't new to the MBTA board or Massachusetts state transportation, having already served on the board since April 2023. His past leadership roles include his time as Mayor of Lynn, a stint as Senate Chairman of the Transportation Committee, and terms in both the state Senate and House of Representatives. "Massachusetts couldn’t ask for stronger leaders in transportation than Tom Glynn and Tom McGee," Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll was quoted saying in the official release. McGee's known for his dedication to regional equity and his extensive experience in governmental roles related to transportation.
Looking back at Glynn's legacy, he has garnered respect across various administrations and positions. Glynn's resume includes influential posts such as General Manager of the MBTA under Governor Michael Dukakis, CEO of Massport, and Deputy Secretary of Labor in the Clinton Administration, amongst others. His impact on the MBTA is characterized by sweeping improvements and steadfast leadership, especially highlighted during the challenges of the past couple of years. In McGee's own words, "I’m proud of the work that the MBTA Board has done these past couple of years with the strong partnership of Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Secretary Tibbits-Nutt and General Manager Eng," signaling continuity and a steady hand for his upcoming role, as mentioned by Mass.gov.
Among the board members, McGee will join forces with Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt, who praised the incoming Chair for his advocacy and experience, referring to him as a gift to the transit system. Outgoing Chair Glynn was lauded by MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng for leading with dedication and helping the T make progress under his guidance. Eng expressed optimism in the future under McGee, calling him a true professional. Governor Healey's administration is expected to make an additional board member appointment soon.
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