Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman Joseph Lhota today announced that he has named Patrick T. Warren as the agency’s new Chief Safety Officer, overseeing all safety management policy implementation. He will work closely with MTA agencies as they continue to improve work practices and invest in new technology and equipment.

“Safety is a core value of the MTA and we are constantly working to improve on current procedures, while also actively implementing emerging safety practices and applications to better serve our customers,” said MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota. “Patrick’s experience at the Federal Railroad Administration, as well as his work on safety projects in other roles within transportation, makes him uniquely qualified to push forward our ongoing safety initiatives.”

“I’m excited to join one of the world’s largest transportation networks, one that is focused on promoting a safety culture while constantly looking for ways to improve its practices. I look forward to the challenge of proactively serving a population of over 15 million people,” said Warren.

Prior to joining the MTA, Mr. Warren worked for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) as the Deputy Associate Administrator for the Office of Railroad Safety and then as the Agency’s Executive Director. He further served with the Federal Aviation Administration as the Deputy Director of Planning and Programming. In these roles, he provided leadership over the Administrations’ national operations to support rail and airport development as well as rail safety.

Before joining the U.S. Department of Transportation, Mr. Warren served in the United States Army where he performed as a Commander and Senior Administrator for organizations dedicated to emergency response, safety compliance, security, and defense.

Mr. Warren received a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, a master’s degree in computer science from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a master’s degree in national strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. He also served as a Federal Executive Fellow with the Brookings Institution.

Warren is the MTA’s second Chief Safety Officer replacing the outgoing David Meyer and reports directly to the Chairman. He will also work closely with Metro-North Railroad Chief Safety Officer Justin Vonashek, Long Island Rail Road Chief Safety Officer Loretta Ebbighausen, New York City Transit VP System Safety Cheryl Kennedy, VP Safety & Health at MTA Bridges and Tunnels Eric Osnes, and MTA Capital Construction VP of Safety Peter Kohner. They will continue to monitor the condition of crews and equipment at their respective agencies, reporting to their agency’s president.