O'Malley names Swaim-Staley acting secretary
Gov. Martin O'Malley named Deputy Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley as acting secretary of transportation Thursday to stand in for John D. Porcari, whose nomination by President Obama as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation was confirmed last week.
Swain-Staley, a veteran Maryland transportation official, will take over Monday, when Porcari will be sworn in as the No. 2 official in the federal department. Swaim-Staley became deputy in 2007 after Porcari was named to the secretary post for his second go-round. Swaim-Staley served a previous term as No. 2 in the Maryland department when Porcari was secretary in the administration of Gov. Parris N. Glendening.
Shaun Adamec, a spokesman for O’Malley, said the administration is conducting a nationwide search for a permanent successor to Porcari. “A job of this magnitude would warrant such a search,” Adamec said.
The spokesman said he could not say how long Swaim-Staley might serve in an acting capacity but said the governor is confident she can handle the job “as long as it takes.” Adamec said Swaim-Staley would be among those considered for the post.
In an afternoon interview, Swaim-Staley, 52, said she is a candidate for the top spot -- which would make her the first woman to hold that job in Maryland.
"I would be interested. Obviously that would be up to the governor," she said.
Swaim-Staley has previously served in interim roles as head of Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and the Maryland Transit Administration. She previously served five years as the transportation department’s chief financial officer.
Here's the news release:
Current Secretary John D. Porcari to Become Deputy Secretary for Transportation in the Obama Administration Effective Monday
ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 28, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that Deputy Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley will serve as Acting Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation. She will assume the role on Monday, June 1, 2009, when John D. Porcari is sworn in as Deputy Secretary of Transportation in the administration of President Barack Obama.
“The challenges and opportunities before us to improve Maryland’s transportation system are many. A smooth transition is important as we continue to implement our transportation vision,” said Governor O’Malley. “With nearly 12 years of experience as Deputy Transportation Secretary and Chief Financial Officer for MDOT, Beverley Swaim-Staley has the deep knowledge of transportation, along with the management and financial expertise that are necessary for us to move forward. Our transportation program remains in excellent hands.”
Ms. Swaim-Staley has more than twenty years of service to the state of Maryland. She was appointed by Governor O’Malley as Deputy Transportation Secretary in 2007. She served a prior tour of duty as Deputy Transportation Secretary from 1999 through 2003. During that period, Ms. Swaim-Staley also served in interim capacities directing BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport and the Maryland Transit Administration. In 1993, after ten years as a legislative analyst where she staffed budget committees and focused on transportation issues, Ms. Swaim-Staley was selected to be Chief Financial Officer for MDOT, a position that she held for five years.
“Keeping our economic stimulus projects moving and preparing for important decisions regarding Maryland’s next generation of transit will be among the priorities for MDOT in the days ahead,” said Ms. Swaim-Staley. “My goal, and the goal of the transportation professionals at MDOT, is to continue the implementation of Governor O’Malley’s vision for transportation. It is important to our state, our citizens and our future.”
John D. Porcari was appointed by Governor O’Malley in 2007 to serve as Maryland’s Transportation Secretary. His nomination to be Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 21, 2009. He will assume his new duties when he is sworn in on Monday, June 1.
“President Obama has made a wise choice,” added Governor O’Malley. “John Porcari is one of the finest, most talented public servants I have ever had the pleasure of working with. He will do a great job for our country and I look forward to working with John in his new federal capacity.”
