Pat Foye
Patrick J. Foye | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 31, 1957 |
| Occupation(s) | Attorney, transportation executive |
| Known for | Leadership roles at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |
Patrick Joseph Foye (born January 31, 1957) is an American attorney known for his leadership roles within the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), where he served as chairman and CEO. His career also includes tenures as president of the MTA and executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Life and career
Foye earned his undergraduate degree cum laude from Fordham University and obtained his Juris Doctor from Fordham Law School, where he contributed as associate editor to the Fordham Law Review. In recognition of his achievements, Fordham University awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2022. Professionally, he practiced law with Skadden Arps. Governor Eliot Spitzer appointed him chair of New York's Empire State Development Corporation, and he also served as a member of the MTA board. Additionally, Foye held the position of deputy county executive for economic development under Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano.
In October 2011, Governor Andrew Cuomo named Foye as executive director of the Port Authority, succeeding Christopher O. Ward. Although he initially planned to resign in 2016, Foye postponed his departure and continued until Rick Cotton took over in August 2017.
Foye assumed the presidency of the MTA in 2017. On April 1, 2019, following approval by the state senate, Cuomo appointed him chairman and CEO of the MTA. He resigned in July 2021 at Cuomo’s request, with Janno Lieber succeeding him. After Cuomo’s resignation, Foye opted not to pursue leadership of Empire State Development, enabling Governor Kathy Hochul to select a successor.
Following his public service career, Foye has supported ASTM’s initiative to establish a new entrance on 8th Avenue for Pennsylvania Station (New York City).
Fort Lee lane closure scandal
Foye was instrumental in resolving a politically charged traffic obstruction that resulted in significant congestion in Fort Lee, New Jersey, during a four-day period in 2013. On September 9, two out of three toll lanes leading from Fort Lee local roads to the George Washington Bridge were closed during morning rush hour without prior notification to local authorities, emergency responders, or the public. Fort Lee characterized these closures as a threat to public safety. The gridlock ceased on September 13 after Foye ordered an immediate reopening of the lanes, criticizing the "hasty and ill-informed decision" as both unsafe and potentially illegal.