BALTIMORE – Governor-elect Martin O’Malley announced today that he will nominate John D. Porcari to serve as Secretary for the Maryland Department of Transportation to oversee the state’s highway, transit, aviation, port, motor vehicle, and bridge and tunnel authority transportation network for the O’Malley-Brown Administration.
“John Porcari is one of the most competent public administrators in the nation and understands what it takes to build a world class transportation system consistent with the principles of smart growth,” said Governor-elect Martin O’Malley. “I am thrilled that John has agreed to serve the citizens of Maryland as we develop a statewide vision for transportation that includes transit and highway projects, improved service, and improved security of our rail system and port. Our entire State will benefit from John’s expertise, competence, and management ability.”
Porcari currently serves Vice President for Administrative Affairs at the University of Maryland, College Park. He serves as Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer and manages an annual operating budget of $1.3 billion for more than 35,000 students, as well as faculty and staff. He oversees seven departments within the Division of Administrative Affairs, which includes Personnel Services, Comptroller, Public Safety, Facilities Management, Environmental Safety, Business Services and Procurement & Supply.
Prior to joining the University of Maryland, Porcari served as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation under former Governor Parris Glendening from 1999-2003. In his capacity as Secretary, Porcari initiated the implementation of a $9.1 billion six-year capital program and:
* Transformed the state’s capital program for transportation to require all projects to be consistent with the principles of Smart Growth;
* Initiated Baltimore Regional Transit Plan and the Environmental Impact Study for the Purple Line;
Implemented record highway program including system preservation projects and bridge reconstruction projects;
* Worked with Maryland’s Congressional delegation to secure $2.4 billion for Woodrow Wilson Bridge replacement project;
* Directed $1.8 billion expansion of Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport;
* Directed Maryland’s transportation network in responding to September 11, and
* Initiated eMVA on-line services and implemented Graduated License System for new drivers resulting in a 22% decline in accident rates for youth drivers.
“It is a great honor to serve the people of Maryland again as Secretary of Transportation,” said Porcari. “Our efforts over these next four years will be vital to controlling growth and sprawl, preserving our open space, and maintaining our quality of life in Maryland. Under the leadership of Governor O’Malley, I look forward to building a state of the art, statewide transportation system and improving services for the people of Maryland.”
Prior to the positions in the state government, Porcari served as Vice President of Loiederman Associates, providing environmental consulting services for public sector civil engineering clients in the Washington, D.C. area.
Porcari received his B.A. degree from the University of Dayton, Ohio, in 1981, and his Master of Public Administration from the State University of New York at Albany in 1985. He has a broad background in business and economic development, environmental planning and public policy.
Source: O'Malley Transition Team