Paul Wiedefeld Explained

Paul Wiedefeld
Term Start:March 2, 2023
Acting: January 24, 2023 – March 2, 2023
Term Start1:November 30, 2015
Term End1:May 16, 2022
Predecessor1:Jack Requa (acting)
Successor1:Andy Off (acting)
Term Start2:September 23, 2009
Term End2:July 10, 2015
Predecessor2:Timothy L. Campbell
Successor2:Ricky D. Smith
Term Start3:May 20, 2002
Term End3:July 20, 2005
Predecessor3:David L. Blackshear
Successor3:Timothy L. Campbell
Office4:Administrator of the Maryland Transit Administration
Term Start4:January 17, 2007
Term End4:September 23, 2009
Governor4:Martin O'Malley
Predecessor4:Lisa Dickerson
Successor4:Ralign T. Wells
Birth Date:19 August 1955
Birth Place:Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Children:3
Residence:Towson, Maryland, U.S.
Education:Towson University (BA)
Rutgers University (MA)
Signature:Paul Wiedefeld signature.svg

Paul J. Wiedefeld (born August 19, 1955) is an American politician serving as the Maryland Secretary of Transportation under Governor Wes Moore since 2023. He was previously the general manager of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority from 2015 to 2022, the chief executive officer of the Maryland Aviation Administration from 2002 to 2005 and from 2009 to 2015, and the administrator of the Maryland Transportation Administration from 2007 to 2009.[1]

Early life and education

Wiedefeld grew up in the Govans neighborhood of Baltimore, where he graduated from Mount Saint Joseph High School before attending Towson University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in political science. Wiedefeld later graduated from Rutgers University in 1981 with a Master of Arts degree in city and regional planning.[2]

Career

After graduating from Rutgers, Wiedefeld briefly worked as a planner in Morris County, New Jersey, before moving back to Baltimore. He began working for the Maryland Department of Transportation in 1986, where he played a leading role in managing dozens of transportation projects. From 1991 to 1994, he oversaw the department's Office of Systems Planning and Evaluation.

In 1994, Wiedefeld left the Maryland Department of Transportation to become the vice president of engineering and design firm Parsons Brinckerhoff. In April 2002, Governor Parris Glendening named Wiedefeld as the executive director of the Maryland Aviation Administration.[3] While CEO, Wiedefeld oversaw the $1.8 billion expansion of Baltimore/Washington International Airport, which was one of the fastest-growing airports in the country at the time. In July 2005, Wiedefeld announced that he would be stepping down to work as the head of aviation consulting practice at Parsons Brinckerhoff.[4]

In 2007, Governor Martin O'Malley named Wiedefeld as the administrator of the Maryland Transit Administration. In November 2008, he ordered the two-week shut down of the northern part of the Baltimore Light RailLink, citing a computerized braking system causing the trains' wheels to crack.[5] In September 2009, Wiedefeld was named as the chief executive officer of the Maryland Aviation Administration, succeeding Timothy L. Campbell.[6] In July 2015, Governor Larry Hogan announced that he would be replacing Wiedefeld with Ricky D. Smith, the head of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.[7]

WMATA General Manager

On November 5, 2015, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced that it would hire Wiedefeld as its next general manager following a year-long search.[8] [9] Wiedefeld took office on November 30, 2015.[10] During his tenure, Wiedefeld sought to prioritize transit safety over rail service, believing it would restore public confidence in the transit system.[11] He was also credited with overhauling the Metro's infrastructure while setting the stage for more-reliable and safer service in the future.

In March 2016, following a smoke incident near the McPherson Square station, Wiedefeld halted WMATA's operations for 24 hours to allow inspectors to search for dangerously deteriorated power cables. This was the first time that Metrorail had ordered a subway closure on a fair-weather workday.[12] [13] This closure was announced with very little public notice, disrupting the commute of thousands of D.C. residents.[14] During the closure, Metro work crews found at least 26 power cables and connectors that required immediate repair.[15]

In May 2016, Wiedefeld unveiled his "SafeTrack" initiative, a nine-month maintenance blitz that saw the transit line endure a series of rolling shutdowns and slowdowns in an effort to condense three years worth of rail maintenance into roughly one year.[16] [17] [18] The "safety surges" ranged in duration, from seven days to 42 days, and included either around-the-clock single tracking or line-segment shutdowns.[19] These disruptions, combined with continued chronic breakdowns, contributed to a 12 percent decrease in Metro ridership and added to the agency's financial problems, creating a projected $125 million revenue shortfall during fiscal year 2018.[20] The SafeTrack program concluded in June 2017.[21] [22]

In July 2016, Wiedefeld proposed a permanent end to late-night weekend subway services,[23] saying that the proposed cuts were "vital to the future health of the system".[24] The proposed service hours cut was criticized by Metro riders,[25] local legislators,[26] and members of the WMATA board.[27] In December 2016, the Metro Board voted to approve a two-year service cut to late-night train services.[28] Wiedefeld proposed bringing back some late-night services in his 2020 budget proposal,[29] but the proposed hour extensions were pushed back until 2021.[30]

In November 2016, Wiedefeld launched the "Back2Good" initiative, a $400,000 marketing campaign aimed at winning back consumer trust through rail-car maintenance and station improvements.[31] A Washington Post interview with WMATA riders a year following the initiative's launch found customers had mixed reactions on the state of the system, despite the improvements made to its trains.[32]

Also in November 2016, Wiedefeld announced that the Metro would be doubling the number of new cars in service by 2017 while replacing its older cars, the 1000- and 4000-series, with the new 7000-series cars.[33] In December 2021, following the derailing of a 7000-series car on the Blue Line, the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission ordered WMATA's 7000-series cars out of service.[34] Wiedefeld defended the transit agency's rail car problems in a United States House Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing on February 9, 2022.[35]

In April 2017, Wiedefeld proposed privatizing station operations and track maintenance on the western stretch of the Silver Line as a means of saving money by relying more on outside contractors.[36] [37] This proposal was opposed by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, the Metro's largest union, which argued that privatization would be bad for riders and would cost the transit agency more in the long-run.[38] [39] In September 2018, the Metro began requesting proposals from private companies to perform maintenance and operations on the Silver Line extension.[40] In December 2019, Wiedefeld announced a four-year labor contract with ATU Local 689 that would allow the transit agency to give up its strategy of privatization.[41] The four-year contract was approved by the Metro Board on December 20.[42]

On January 18, 2022, Wiedefeld announced that he would retire as the general manager of WMATA, effective July 18.[43] [44] On May 16, 2022, after WMATA announced that half of its train operators had lacked retraining and testing required for recertification, Wiedefeld announced that he would resign as general manager effective immediately, two months ahead of his scheduled retirement.[45] [46] In October 2022, Wiedefield joined HDR, Inc. as the director of the firm's transportation practice in the northeast United States.[47]

Maryland Secretary of Transportation

On January 24, 2023, Governor Wes Moore named Wiedefeld as the Maryland Secretary of Transportation.[48] His nomination was unanimously approved by the Maryland Senate on February 17.[49] As the Secretary of Transportation, Wiedefeld will oversee construction of the Purple Line and Red Line transit lines and high-occupancy toll lane expansions to the Capital Beltway and Interstate 270.[50] The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse occurred during his tenure, and he was involved in press briefings in the immediate aftermath of the event.[51]

Personal life

Wiedefeld and his wife have three children and live in Towson, Maryland.[52] [53]

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Paul J. Wiedefeld, Maryland Secretary of Transportation . Maryland Manual On-Line . Maryland State Archives . February 18, 2023.
  2. Web site: Paul J. Wiedefeld, Maryland Secretary of Transportation . Maryland Manual On-Line . Maryland State Archives . February 10, 2023.
  3. News: Adams . Paul . New airport chief is hired . February 10, 2023 . The Baltimore Sun . April 18, 2002.
  4. News: Cohn . Meredith . State aviation chief Wiedefeld is departing . February 10, 2023 . The Baltimore Sun . July 20, 2005.
  5. News: Dresser . Michael . Maryland's Paul Wiedefeld works to turn around Washington's Metro . February 10, 2023 . The Baltimore Sun . May 20, 2016.
  6. News: Campbell To Retire As Executive Director Of MAA . February 10, 2023 . Airport Experience News . September 23, 2009.
  7. News: Dresser . Michael . Gov. Hogan fires Wiedefeld as head of BWI . February 10, 2023 . The Baltimore Sun . July 10, 2015.
  8. News: Duggan . Paul . After a year-long search, Metro names new general manager . February 10, 2023 . The Washington Post . November 5, 2015.
  9. News: Campbell . Colin . Former BWI executive selected to lead Washington metro . February 10, 2023 . The Baltimore Sun . November 5, 2015.
  10. News: Aratani . Lori . Everything you need to know about Metro's new boss, Paul Wiedefeld . February 10, 2023 . The Washington Post . November 30, 2015.
  11. News: Siddiqui . Faiz . Wiedefeld: 'Turning Metro around requires us to confront some hard truths.' . February 10, 2023 . The Washington Post . March 6, 2016.
  12. News: Duggan . Paul . McCartney . Robert . After subway shutdown, will drastic action become Metro's new normal? . February 10, 2023 . The Washington Post . March 19, 2016.
  13. News: Hansen . Drew . Metro to shut down entire system on Wednesday in unprecedented closure . February 10, 2023 . Washington Business Journal . March 15, 2016.
  14. News: Hansen . Drew . Year in Review 2016: Metro launches SafeTrack in its remarkable 40th year . February 10, 2023 . Washington Business Journal . December 27, 2016.
  15. News: Repetski . Stephen . Here's what Metro's work crews found during the closure . February 10, 2023 . Greater Greater Washington . March 17, 2016.
  16. News: Neibauer . Michael . Metrorail 'surge' plan threatens yearlong commute turmoil . February 10, 2023 . Washington Business Journal.
  17. News: Aratani . Lori . Duggan . Paul . McCartney . Robert . Metro will shut down sections of lines for year-long subway repair work . February 10, 2023 . The Washington Post . May 6, 2016.
  18. News: First major shutdown of DC Metro maintenance blitz to begin . February 10, 2023 . The Daily Record . June 17, 2016.
  19. News: Hansen . Drew . How Metro's yearlong repair plan will impact your commute . February 10, 2023 . Washington Business Journal . May 6, 2016.
  20. News: Siddiqui . Faiz . Ridership losses, exacerbated by SafeTrack, push Metro to financial tipping point . February 10, 2023 . The Washington Post . February 21, 2017.
  21. News: Fandos . Nicholas . Is Washington's Metro Improving? After $150 Million, Maybe . February 10, 2023 . The New York Times . June 25, 2017.
  22. News: Powers . Martine . With SafeTrack Surge No. 16, it's finally time to say goodbye . February 10, 2023 . The Washington Post . June 17, 2017.
  23. News: Aratani . Lori . Powers . Martine . Siddiqui . Faiz . Metro general manager proposes permanent end to late-night service . February 10, 2023 . The Washington Post . July 26, 2016.
  24. News: Powers . Martine . Metro chief Wiedefeld defends proposed late-night service cuts . February 10, 2023 . The Washington Post . July 27, 2016.
  25. News: Smith . Max . Metro riders say service cuts will be 'disaster' . February 10, 2023 . WTOP-FM . October 20, 2016.
  26. News: Whitehead . David . 65 top Maryland officials to Wiedefeld: End the late night Metro cuts . February 10, 2023 . Greater Greater Washington . December 13, 2018.
  27. News: Kurzius . Rachel . Metro GM And Board Chair Are At Odds Over Late Night Service . https://web.archive.org/web/20181212153218/https://dcist.com/story/16/10/06/metro-gm-and-board-chair-disagree-o/ . live . December 12, 2018 . February 10, 2023 . DCist . October 6, 2016.
  28. News: Kurzius . Rachel . Metro Board Approves Two-Year Cuts To Late Night Train Service . https://web.archive.org/web/20181212153159/https://dcist.com/story/16/12/15/metro-board-approves-two-year-cuts/ . live . December 12, 2018 . February 10, 2023 . DCist . December 15, 2016.
  29. News: Smith . Max . Metro ready to bring back some late-night hours . February 10, 2023 . WTOP-FM . November 8, 2019.
  30. News: Pascale . Jordan . Metro Board Approves More All-Day Service, Later Hours, And $2 Weekend Fares In Pitch To Bring Back Riders . https://web.archive.org/web/20210603123128/https://dcist.com/story/21/06/03/more-all-day-service-cheaper-fares-metro-hopes-riders-return/ . live . June 3, 2021 . February 10, 2023 . DCist . June 3, 2021.
  31. News: Powers . Martine . Siddiqui . Faiz . After SafeTrack, Metro to shift focus to rail cars — the biggest cause of delays . February 10, 2023 . The Washington Post . November 30, 2016.
  32. News: Siddiqui . Faiz . Is Metro Back2Good? A year later, the answer seems to be: 'Stand by.' . February 10, 2023 . The Washington Post . December 16, 2017.
  33. News: Pottiger . Maya . Metro's chief promises fewer delays, nicer ride soon . February 10, 2023 . Capital News Service . November 30, 2016.
  34. News: Duncan . Ian . Metro safety commission orders cars out of service, saying agency didn't follow terms of plan . February 10, 2023 . The Washington Post . December 29, 2021.
  35. News: Barylick . Chris . Hahn . Emily . Motamedi . Ashkan . Lawmakers grill Metro over its handling of defective rail cars . February 10, 2023 . Capital News Service . February 9, 2022.
  36. News: McCartney . Robert . Metro GM proposes 'new business model' and $500 million a year in extra funding to save D.C.-area transit agency . February 10, 2023 . The Washington Post . April 19, 2017.
  37. News: Neibauer . Michael . Wiedefeld calls for dedicated Metro funding, possible outsourcing of Silver Line functions . February 10, 2023 . Washington Business Journal . April 20, 2017.
  38. News: Di Caro . Martin . Privatize Metro? Wiedefeld's Outsourcing Plan Provokes Union Wrath And May Not Save Money . February 10, 2023 . WAMU . May 1, 2017.
  39. News: Powers . Martine . Metro gets serious about outsourcing Silver Line service . February 10, 2023 . The Washington Post . January 9, 2018.
  40. News: Powers . Martine . When phase 2 of the Silver Line opens in 2020, Metro employees probably won't be running it . February 10, 2023 . The Washington Post . September 18, 2018.
  41. News: George . Justin . McCartney . Robert . Metro and its largest union reach surprise labor agreement that would avoid privatization . February 10, 2023 . The Washington Post . December 10, 2019.
  42. News: Smith . Max . Metro, largest union approve 4-year contract . February 10, 2023 . WTOP-FM . December 20, 2019.
  43. News: Massimo . Rick . Metro GM Wiedefeld to retire . February 10, 2023 . WTOP-FM . January 18, 2022.
  44. News: George . Justin . Metro's general manager to retire after six years as top executive . February 10, 2023 . The Washington Post . January 18, 2022.
  45. News: Hinton . Justin . Roussey . Tom . Parker . Don . Metro GM/CEO Paul Wiedefeld retires effective immediately; COO Joe Leader resigns . February 10, 2023 . WJLA-TV . May 16, 2022.
  46. News: George . Justin . Top Metro leaders step down one day after agency announces training lapses . February 10, 2023 . The Washington Post . May 16, 2022.
  47. News: Paul Wiedefeld Joins HDR as Northeast Region Transportation Director . February 10, 2023 . Metropolitan Airport News . October 3, 2022.
  48. News: George . Justin . Shaver . Katherine . Wiggins . Ovetta . Moore picks former Metro chief as Maryland transportation secretary . February 10, 2023 . The Washington Post . January 24, 2023.
  49. News: Janesch . Sam . Final vote on Gov. Moore's pick to lead juvenile services agency delayed as other cabinet members approved . February 17, 2023 . The Baltimore Sun . February 17, 2023.
  50. News: Sears . Bryan P. . Moore eyes Wiedefeld, former Washington metro chief, as transportation boss, sources say . March 29, 2024 . . January 20, 2023.
  51. Web site: 2024-03-26 . Key Bridge collapses into Patapsco River in Baltimore after vessel hits support column; state of emergency declared . 2024-03-26 . Baltimore Sun . en-US.
  52. News: Parsons Brinckerhoff vp takes over BWI airport post . February 10, 2023 . The Daily Record . April 17, 2002.
  53. News: Giambrone . Andrew . New Metro GM Paul Wiedefeld: I've Got 'a Load of Work to Do' . February 10, 2023 . Washington City Paper . December 7, 2015.

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