Massport names two transit industry leaders as finalists for next CEO

The Preliminary Screening Committee, tasked with finding the next CEO of the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), recommended two transit leaders to the Massport Board of Directors. 

Eulois Cleckley, director and CEO of the Department of Transportation and Public Works for Miami-Dade County, Fla., and Richard Davey, president of Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) New York City (NYC) Transit, were recommended as finalists to the Massport Board of Directors, who will make a final selection “at a later special board meeting.” 

Massport owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Mass., Hanscom Field and Worcester Regional Airport.

Cleckley was named director and CEO of the Department of Transportation and Public Works for Miami-Dade County in August 2021, where he oversees the largest transit agency in Florida and the 15th largest in the U.S. Cleckley’s experience includes serving as the executive director of the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure for the city and county of Denver, Colo., deputy director of the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Houston-Galveston Area Council in Texas and at Washington, D.C., District Department of Transportation as chief of statewide and regional planning and chief of the field operations division. He has served as president for the Colorado Chapter of the Conference of Minority Officials, president of the National Association of City Transportation Officials and is a member of the Transportation Research Board.

Davey began his role at NYC Transit in May 2022. In his hiring announcement, MTA noted he did not own a person vehicle and had experience managing every mode of transportation. Davey previously served as general manager for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and was named secretary and CEO of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation in 2011. Davey also served as CEO of Boston 2024, vice president and senior advisor with Transdev and partner and director of Boston Consulting Group.

Massport says nearly 100 people expressed interest in the CEO position. Of those interested, 48 candidates were considered and 10 candidates made the first round. Three candidates were advanced to a second round earlier this month before the recommendation of the two finalists was made. 

Massport Board Chairwoman Patricia Jacobs expressed her gratitude to the screening committee for recommending two finalists who will continue to advance Massport’s mission. 

“We’re confident in recommending these finalists, whose skills and experience will build upon Massport’s recent successes, engage with our many stakeholders and neighboring communities and to ensure the authority fulfills its mission as an economic engine for the commonwealth,” Jacobs said. 

Director of Aviation Ed Freni, who has served as interim CEO since November, added, “The staff and I are looking forward to the completion of this search process and excited to work with our next leader.”