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 Mr. James S. Simpson was sworn in as the Federal Transit Administrator on August 10, 2006. Jim began his career in transportation over 30 years ago as a tractor-trailer driver for a local moving company while attending college and developed the company into an international transportation company.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has honored Jim with an International Trade Award for service excellence. Jim’s other honors include being the first recipient of the “Employer of the Year Award” from the American Moving and Storage Association. In 1993, Jim was a finalist in the Ernst & Young/NASDAQ’s “National Entrepreneur of the Year” award.
In 1995, New York Governor George E. Pataki appointed, and the State Senate confirmed, Jim as a Commissioner of the New York State Metropolitan Transportation Authority where he served for 10 years on the Finance Committee, the New York City Transit Committee and the Governance Committee. Additionally, Jim was Chairman of the Real Estate & Planning Committee and the Safety and Security Committee. Immediately following 9/11, Jim was designated the primary MTA Board liaison to the Governor’s and Mayor’s Offices in coordinating transit activities at the World Trade Center site.
Governor Pataki also appointed Jim, with Senate confirmation, as a member of the New York State Job Development Authority Board. Under Mayor Giuliani’s administration, Jim was appointed Honorary Deputy Police Commissioner for the New York City Police Department. The New York City Police Department’s Honor Legion also honored him with a membership. In addition, Mayor Giuliani appointed Jim to the New York City Work Force Investment Board; and the New York City Council appointed him as an Observer to the New York State Financial Control Board providing oversight for the City’s finances.
Jim’s many other civic roles include serving as a Director of the New York City Partnership and Chamber of Commerce; Chairman of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce; Vice Chairman of Snug Harbor Cultural Center; and board member of Staten Island University and St. Vincent’s Hospitals. He has received numerous awards from non-profit organizations for his civic leadership and philanthropy.
Jim graduated Magna Cum Laude from St. John’s University, with a B.S. in Managerial Science and Economics. He is a member of the National Honor Society of Economics, the National Business Honor Society, a 1995 Alumni of the David Rockefeller Fellowship Program, a 1996 British American Fellow, and served on the Rockefeller Fellow Admissions Committee. In 1999, St. John’s University presented Jim with its Medal of Achievement.
In 2004, President George W. Bush nominated and the United States Senate confirmed Jim to the St. Lawrence Seaway Advisory Board, where he was elevated to Chairman. Jim has been an airplane pilot for over twenty years and flies both jet and multi-engine prop aircraft. He has a special interest in transportation safety.
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