SPECIAL EVENT:

Creating an Effective & Resilient Transportation System

July 18, 2023 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Wayfair

Event Details

In their first major address to the business community, Secretary Fiandaca, (former Austin, Texas, Assistant City Manager and former City of Boston Transportation Commissioner), and General Manager Eng, (who has led the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Long Island Rail Road and New York City Transit), shared their action steps to restore trust in the MBTA.

Thank for you joining us as we heard them address large-scale, future-oriented priorities for transportation across the Commonwealth!

Tickets

Free to Members & Non-Members

Join Our Special Event: Creating an Effective & Resilient Transportation System That Moves Us Forward

On Tuesday, July 18, 2023, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce hosted Special Event: Creating an Effective & Resilient Transportation System That Moves Us Forward featuring the Commonwealth’s new transportation leaders: Secretary of Transportation Gina Fiandaca and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. State Street President and CEO and Chamber Board Chair, Ronald P. O’Hanley, delivered opening remarks about the challenges faced by the business community and the important role of employers in addressing the region’s transportation challenges.

In the discussion moderated by James E. Rooney, President & CEO of the Chamber and former MBTA official, the business community heard how Secretary Fiandaca and General Manager Eng are working to improve the safety, reliability, and culture of the MBTA as well as the Commonwealth’s transportation infrastructure.

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Speakers

Ron O’Hanley

Chairman & CEO, State Street

Ron is chairman and chief executive officer of State Street. Ron was previously president and chief operating officer of State Street, and before that,…Read more

Ron is chairman and chief executive officer of State Street.

Ron was previously president and chief operating officer of State Street, and before that, president and chief executive officer of State Street Global Advisors, the investment management arm of State Street. He joined State Street in 2015.

Prior to State Street, Ron was president of Asset Management & Corporate Services for Fidelity Investments, responsible for Fidelity’s asset management organizations, corporate functions, and enterprise technology. He served at Fidelity from 2010 to 2014.

Before joining Fidelity, Ron served as president and chief executive officer of BNY Mellon Asset Management in Boston. During this time, he also served as vice chairman of Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. Additionally, Ron oversaw all of Bank of New York Mellon’s activities in Asia. Prior to the 2007 merger of Bank of New York and Mellon, he was vice chairman of Mellon Financial Corporation and president and chief executive officer of Mellon Asset Management. He served at Mellon and Bank of New York Mellon from 1997 to 2010.

Prior to Mellon, Ron was with McKinsey & Company from 1986 to 1997, and was elected a partner in 1992. He founded the Investment Management practice and was co-founder of the firm’s North American Personal Financial Services practice. Additionally, he was a member of the Property & Casualty Insurance practice. During his tenure with McKinsey, Ron served in the firm’s Boston, New York, and Stockholm offices.

Ron serves on the boards of Unum Corp., Beth Israel Lahey Health, ABL Space Systems, The Boston Foundation, The Ireland Funds, IYRS School of Technology and Trades, Syracuse University, WBUR, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. He is Chair of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and the Financial Services Forum.

Ron is involved in investment industry efforts around climate, corporate governance, and diversity and inclusion. He leads the Sustainable Markets Initiative Task Force for Asset Managers and Asset Owners. He also has leadership roles at the International Business Council, Institute for International Finance, Focusing Capital on the Long Term, the Council for Inclusive Capitalism, and the Vatican Summit on the Just Transition with Notre Dame University.

Ron received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Syracuse University in 1980 and his Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1986.

Ron is a frequent speaker and writer, and an avid offshore sailboat racer.

Gina Fiandaca

Secretary of Transportation, Massachusetts Department of Transportation

On January 30, 2023, Gina Fiandaca was sworn in as Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Secretary and CEO. In this role, Ms. Fiandaca oversees the…Read more

On January 30, 2023, Gina Fiandaca was sworn in as Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Secretary and CEO. In this role, Ms. Fiandaca oversees the four divisions of MassDOT: Highway, Rail and Transit, Registry of Motor Vehicles and Aeronautics. As Secretary, she also serves on the Massport and MBTA Board of Directors.

Previous, to beginning work for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Ms. Fiandaca served as Assistant City Manager in Austin, Texas, and as the Commissioner of the Boston Transportation Department. In Austin, Ms. Fiandaca released the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan and oversaw several city departments, including, Public Works, Capital Delivery, Transportation, the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, theAustin Water Utility, Fleet Services, the Corridor Program Office, the Project Connect Transit Delivery System Office, and the Project Systems Intelligence Office.

With the City of Boston, prior to May 2019, Ms. Fiandaca served as Transportation Commissioner, overseeing staff who worked together to ensure safe, efficient, and equitable access on Boston’s street system for all users through a combination of transportation planning, engineering, management, operations, and enforcement efforts. Under her leadership, the department released the 15-year, $4.74 billion “Go Boston 2030,” which was Boston’s first major transportation plan in decades that included mobility projects and polices to expand access, improve safety, and ensure reliability. As Commissioner, Ms. Fiandaca served as Chair of the City’s Air Pollution Control Commission, a member of the City’s Public Improvement Commission, the Boston Emergency Management Agency, the National Association of Transportation Officials and the Massachusetts Area Planning Council. Ms. Fiandaca has previously served in roles with national and regional parking groups, serving as President of the New England Parking Council and as a member of the National Parking Organization.

Ms. Fiandaca received a bachelor’s degree from Suffolk University and an MBA from Boston University.

Phillip Eng

General Manager & CEO, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

Phillip Eng is the General Manager and CEO of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). A Civil Engineer with nearly 40 years of transportation experience,…Read more

James E. Rooney

President & CEO, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

James E. Rooney is president and chief executive officer of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, one of the region’s leading business associations. Under…Read more

James E. Rooney is president and chief executive officer of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, one of the region’s leading business associations.

Under Rooney’s guidance, the Boston Chamber has become the leading voice of the business community on public policy issues, weighing in on important matters such as our region’s public transportation infrastructure, economic mobility, health care costs, workforce development and policy regarding our state’s competitiveness. In addition, Rooney has focused on broadening the Chamber’s membership, including introducing new programs and initiatives designed to attract and retain next generation leaders, minority-owned and small businesses.

Prior to joining the Chamber in 2015, Rooney was executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority for nearly 15 years, overseeing the development and construction of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) and leading the management teams of four MCCA owned facilities in Massachusetts. Before moving to the MCCA in 2001, Rooney served two years as Chief of Staff to Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, chairing the Mayor’s cabinet and playing a critical role in all aspects of city governance including education, public safety, public works and transportation. He began his public career at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the nation’s fourth largest transit system, where he spent 18 years, starting as a track laborer and ending as Deputy General Manager. He also served one year as the MBTA’s Acting General Manager during a gubernatorial transition. During the 1990s, Rooney served in senior positions at the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and the Central Artery Project, Boston’s $15 billion “Big Dig” highway project.

Rooney has served in leadership positions on several boards of directors and currently sits on professional and non-profit boards including the Professional Convention Management Association’s (PCMA) North American Advisory Board/Mexico Tourism Board, Vice Chair of the Association of Chambers of Commerce Executives (ACCE), The Partnership, Inc., and the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC).

Rooney has been recognized many times throughout his career for both professional and civic contributions including, a PCMA Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the global meetings industry and a City of Boston Lifetime Achievement Award for leadership and advocacy for immigrant advancement and diversity. In 2018, Rooney was named one of Boston’s Top 10 Most Influential People by Boston Magazine, and one of the “Power 50” executives who made the biggest impact on Greater Boston’s business community and the region’s overall economy by the Boston Business Journal.

Rooney grew up in South Boston and attended the prestigious Boston Latin School, graduating as president of his class. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard College and attended the Boston University Graduate School of Management.

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Agenda

10:45 – 11:00 a.m. Networking & Registration

Guests arrive, sign in at registration, and network with fellow attendees.

11:00 – 11:45 a.m. Program

Fireside Chat between Transportation Leaders and James Rooney

11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Audience Q&A

A chance to ask questions to Secretary Fiandaca and General Manager Eng

FAQs

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN MY REGISTRATION?

Access to a welcoming community of professionals over a great conversation and morning refreshments!

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

An interest in connecting and networking with other professionals. Oh, and don’t forget business cards.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

Please come dressed for your day!

WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE?

Registration begins a 10:45am, with program starting promptly at 11am.

DO I NEED TO REGISTER IN ADVANCE?

We have a limited number of tickets available for this event due to capacity limits. Government Affair Forum events are some of the Chamber’s most popular and we recommend registering in advance to secure your spot!

Sponsor

All cancellations must be received at least three (3) business days prior to the event to avoid being charged or to receive a refund.

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce encourages persons with disabilities to participate, and engage fully, in its programs and events.

If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation, including but not limited to, listening devices, closed captioning, large print, wheelchair access, allergies and environmental sensitivities, or if you have any questions about the venue, event format, or virtual platform, please contact us at [email protected].

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For our members

Events

Limited Series

Transportation First | State of the Airport

Public Policy

2025 Government Affairs Forum | Senator Edward J. Markey

Women's Network

A Fireside Chat with Dr. Melissa Gilliam, Boston University

Learning & Development

Transformational DEI Certificate

Women’s Leadership Program

Boston’s Future Leaders

Authentic Professionalism for Early Career Professionals

Economic Inclusion

Economic Inclusion

City Awake

Economic Inclusion

Pacesetters

Small Business

Small Business

Policy & Impact

GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

Business Climate

Climate & Energy

Health Care

Housing & Development

Talent

Transportation

GBCC’s Networks

OUR NETWORKS

Small Business

City Awake

BIMA

Women’s Network

Massachusetts Apprentice Network

Pacesetters

Membership

About Us

Our Impact

Membership Directory