Harold M. Bartlett, a veteran transportation executive who retired as acting head of the Maryland Transportation Authority early this year, will return as permanent executive secretary of the toll facilities agency, Gov. Martin O'Malley announced Tuesday.

Bartlett, a Montgomery County resident, served as deputy secretary of the Maryland Department  of Transportation in 2009-2010 following a 23-year career with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. He retired as deputy late last year but continued in the role of acting executive secretary until the first phase of the Inter-county Connector was opened in February.

In the interim, the authority has been headed by acting executive secretary Randolph P. Brown. The agency, which manages the ICC and the state's seven other toll facilities, voted last week to impose the largest package of toll increases in its history.