Governor Deval Patrick picked long time insider James Aloisi as his Secretary of Transportation today. Patrick made the announcement on a Friday afternoon when most everyone is concerned about the big storm bearing down on us and there are few folks in Boston. Do you think the Governor wanted to downplay the big announcement? The State House News Service is reporting that Aloisi has received over $350,000 in pension payments already since his “retirement” from the Turnpike Authority in 1996. His benefit, which started at $2231 per month is now up to $2552 per month, over $30,000 annually. Attorney Aloisi will be the leader of the Governor’s efforts to reform transportation. The Governor’s press release is below.

Moving forward in his efforts to reform the state’s transportation system, Governor Deval Patrick today announced the appointment of James A. Aloisi, Jr. as Secretary of the Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works (EOT).
Aloisi is an expert in transportation law and he has a long and distinguished career in public service with the Commonwealth. As Transportation Secretary, Aloisi will lead EOT and serve as chair of the governing boards of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). He will also continue to serve as a member of the Massport board of directors.

“Jim brings a deep understanding of the challenges we face in reforming our transportation network,” said Governor Patrick. “He will be a skilled and energetic advocate for our reform agenda.”

The announcement comes as the Patrick Administration has a unique opportunity to work with the legislature to bring comprehensive reform over a relatively short amount of time. Governor Patrick believes Aloisi will start working with legislative leaders and the transportation community immediately, in order to deliver on Governor Patrick’s vision for a safe and efficient statewide transit system.

Aloisi will work closely with Transportation Undersecretary Jeffrey Mullan and other key transit officials on reform initiatives, while continuing the administration’s efforts to identify savings and efficiencies to ensure money from taxes, tolls and fares is spent wisely and effectively. One of EOT’s top priorities in the New Year will be to file and work toward the passage of a comprehensive transportation reform bill, which includes dismantling the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and continuing to invest in transportation infrastructure.

These reforms will build on the groundwork laid out by the Patrick Administration including implementing the first ever Mobility Compact to coordinate the state’s transportation network, identifying tens of millions of dollars in cost-savings across agencies and making critical capital infrastructure investments.

“In these challenging times, my task will be to keep faith with Governor Patrick’s vision to bring the Commonwealth’s transportation system into a new era. In collaboration with the Legislature, Jeff Mullan and other key transportation officials, we will inaugurate a new model of consolidation, creativity and forward-looking thinking,” Aloisi said. “We will do so in a way that is fair to all of our transportation users – everyone from the riders on Regional Transit and MBTA buses, to commuters on MBTA subways and trains, to the motorists using our highways and bridges, and the travelers using our airports. I am convinced that we can adopt a comprehensive solution that eliminates outdated barriers to reform, and that is respectful of the dedicated men and women who drive those buses, maintain those trains and roads, and operate those airports.”

Aloisi is a Director at Goulston & Storrs, a graduate of Boston College Law School and holds a Master in Liberal Arts (History) from Harvard University. Aloisi previously served as Assistant Secretary of the Executive Office Transportation, Assistant Attorney General, Chief Legal Counsel for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, and General Counsel for the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. Most recently, he served on the board of the Massachusetts Port Authority.

Aloisi will take on his new role next month, succeeding Secretary Bernard Cohen, who resigned effective January 2, 2009.

“I thank Bernard for his successful efforts to move forward with transportation reform and bring a renewed spirit of collaboration among our transportation agencies,” said Governor Patrick. “He leaves a great model of partnership for Jim and the rest of us to follow.”