NEW YORK CITY—Silverstein Properties executive Janno Lieber has been tapped to join the senior executive ranks of the MTA as chief development officer. Currently serving as president of World Trade Center Properties—a division of Silverstein—Lieber will shift into the public sector in late May.

He has managed the multi-billion dollar development of Silverstein Properties' projects at the World Trade Center in his current position for 14 years. Prior to that, Lieber served as SVP of Lawrence Ruben Co. and worked with clients such as Chicago Transit Authority, New Jersey Transit, and Penn Station Redevelopment Corp.

Previously he worked in the federal government, having been appointed in 1994 by President Bill Clinton as deputy assistant secretary for policy for the US Dept. of Transportation. In this role, Lieber spearheaded the development and roll-out of the Clinton Administration's ISTEA authorization proposal, a highway and mass transit funding bill that included federal spending to improve, widen and extend the nation's highway system.

Earlier in his career, Lieber practiced law at the New York firm of Patterson, Belknap Webb & Tyler and served as a transportation policy advisor in the office of New York City Mayor Ed Koch.

In his post at the MTA—a newly created position—Lieber will take over leadership and oversight of strategic capital initiatives focused on increasing the capacity of the system. More specifically, he will head up the MTA Capital Construction Co. and manage the MTA's major capital projects that expand capacity, including the Second Avenue Subway Phase II–extending the line to 125th Street; East Side Access–connecting Long Island Railroad to Grand Central Terminal; Penn Station Access–bringing Metro-North Railroad into Penn Station; enhanced stations; improved rail mass transit access to JFK Airport; LIRR Third Track – expanding capacity on the railroad's main line; and LIRR Double Track–improving service and reliability on the LIRR's Ronkonkoma Branch.

Additionally, Lieber's portfolio will include oversight of several initiatives, including the arranging of communication based train control and positive train control; real estate development and alternate project delivery, such as expanded use of public private partnerships.

Says Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, “Janno Lieber has a proven track record of innovative success managing multi-billion dollar projects in the private sector and deep experience in transportation. His unique skillset is a significant asset and will help us continue to deliver on the promise of a world-class transit system for New Yorkers.”

Adds MTA interim executive director Ronnie Hakim, ”These projects are the foundation upon which the future of our agency is being built. We look forward to Janno bringing to the MTA his lifetime of experience in getting big things accomplished – and we know that will pay lasting dividends for our riders and customers.”

Lieber conveys his excitement over the position. “New York has always led the way in public transportation. Now, under Gov. Cuomo's leadership we are again taking on the big projects that will make a real difference to New Yorkers' lives and to our economic future. I'm thrilled to join him and the entire MTA team on that mission.”

Lieber's long-time boss—and likely mentor—Larry Silverstein adds, “Janno is responsible for making the entire project a model of urban mixed use development, sustainability, and public-private partnership. For the many stakeholders who worked on the project, he has functioned as the 'glue' that helped bind us together throughout the difficult rebuilding process. All of us—and all New Yorkers—owe him a huge debt of thanks.”

Earlier in his career, Lieber practiced law at the New York firm of Patterson, Belknap Webb & Tyler and served as a transportation policy advisor in the office of New York City Mayor Ed Koch.

Instant Insights /

Lieber Departs Silverstein for MTA

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