Mortimer L. Downey

Who is Mortimer L. Downey?

Mortimer Leo Downey, III was the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation from 1993 to 2001, making him the longest-serving person to ever hold the post. Downey was originally appointed to the position at the beginning of the Clinton administration, and additionally served as Acting Secretary of Transportation for the first four days of the Bush administration, from January 21, 2001 to January 24, 2001. Prior to his service as Deputy Secretary of Transportation, he was Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority. During the Carter Administration, from 1977 to 1981, Downey served in the Department of Transportation as Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs. Prior to that appointment, Downey was the first transportation program analyst for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Budget. He also held various positions at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

He was on the Obama transition team, and the subject of speculation as a possible Secretary of Transportation in the Obama Administration.

He joined WMATA's board of directors in January, 2010.