CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456

FOR RELEASE: August 3, 2012

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 FAX: (860) 594-3065 WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

Anna Barry Named Deputy DOT Commissioner

      Commissioner James P. Redeker today announced appointment of Anna M. Barry as Deputy Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT). In this position, Barry will fill the role of Chief Operating Officer and support the Commissioner in implementing the strategy and goals for the agency.  Barry’s experience and success in project management, procurement and operations will be fundamental to executing the multi-modal mission of the DOT.  She brings to the DOT more than 35 years of experience in transportation, particularly railroad and transit operations. She is expected to start in mid-September.

      Barry currently serves the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in Boston as Senior Director of Vehicle Engineering and Quality Assurance.  In this capacity, she oversees the technical development of MBTA’s multi-billion dollar, multi-modal vehicle procurement program.  During her 24 years with the MBTA, Barry has worked in several management positions, including Director of Subway Operations, managing the nation’s oldest subway system. 

      As the MBTA’s Director of Railroad Operations, Barry procured and oversaw the country’s largest commuter rail services contract.  Her experience also includes commissioning large capital improvements, such as one of the industry’s largest commuter rail maintenance facilities, and negotiation of trackage rights agreements with Amtrak.  The MBTA is the fifth largest transit authority in the country and owns the Northeast Corridor line in Massachusetts. Prior to working for the MBTA, Barry worked for the Boston and Maine Railroad and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

      “I am pleased to welcome Anna to the DOT.  She has versatility and depth of experience that will help our team maximize our service to the citizens of Connecticut and improve the quality of our growing intermodal system,” said Redeker.

      “This is a wonderful opportunity to support the dynamic DOT mission,” said Barry. “I welcome the challenge of further improving the contribution transportation system makes to the lives of the citizens of Connecticut and to the state’s economy.”

      She also said that collaborative staff and organizational improvements are critical to improving service, adding, “the key to continuous improvement is working within a great team.”

      Barry is active in the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials and the Women’s Transportation Seminar, Inc., sitting on the Boston Chapter Board of Directors.  She also serves on several committees of the Transportation Research Board and is a past Chair of the Commuter Rail Committee of the American Public Transportation Association.