Thursday, 4:30 PM
Patrick appoints Boston businessman to Pike board
By Globe Staff
Governor Deval Patrick today officially took control of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, appointing a Boston businessman to fill the remaining vacancy on the agency's board.
Thomas Stephens is currently the director of annuity sales for MetLIfe Inc. Before his 15-year career in finance, he was a math teacher at Northeastern University.
"Thomas brings a tremendous amount of energy, talent and financial expertise to the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority board," Patrick said in a statement. "His presence will add a valuable business and financial perspective to board deliberations."
Stephens will fill the seat vacated by John Moscardelli, a board member appointed by governor Mitt Romney who resigned earlier this month. Patrick has already named Transportation Secretary Bernard Cohen and Michael P. Angelini, a Worcester lawyer, to serve on the board. They replaced Thomas Trimarco, another Romney appointee who resigned in February, and former turnpike chairman John Cogliano, whose term ended in June.
The appointments give Patrick full control of the five-member board that oversees the Big Dig and the state turnpike system. The board will meet today with its new members.
"I am committed to working with Secretary [Bernard] Cohen and my fellow board members to ensure that the MTA is managed in an open and responsive manner that will benefit the citizens who depend on it on a daily basis," Stephens said in a statement.
