Regional FTA Administrator leaves a 40-year record of achievement; bar set high by departing Richard Doyle

If it weren't true, it would read like a novel.

In 1970, a young man joins a still-young DOT as an intern. Cut to four decades later. After a career of consistently effective service and leadership, he retires after nearly 30 years as Administrator of FTA's busy Region I.

From left to right, me, Dick Doyle, and FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff

Through steady achievement, in 1981 Richard Doyle rose to a position responsible for the administration of FTA's capital, operating, and planning programs in the six-state New England region.

Now, the New England region may be compact, but its transit agencies are among the busiest in America. For example, 10 of the agencies have over 2 million boardings each year. And then there are the smaller agencies, whose buses must navigate mountain roads, often through piles of snow. 

In New England, Dick provided technical assistance to state, local and private sector officials on a wide range of matters affecting urban and rural transportation. In addition to his support of FTA stakeholders, he also provided decades of steady leadership and management to the FTA Region I team.

Alongside his Region I duties, Dick also served as DOT’s Regional Emergency Transportation Coordinator for Regions I and II, with responsibility for coordinating the DOT response with FEMA and state officials following a disaster or national emergency.

And, with his expertise in emergency transportation, he was appointed FTA’s Gulf Team Leader in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina disrupted transportation in several Gulf of Mexico states.  Through his leadership at the Joint Field Office in Baton Rouge, he helped restore vital transit service in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

One thing Dick doesn't need from me is documentation of an illustrious career; he has taken care of that through numerous performance awards and honors. Those include the Secretary's Gold Medal Award, the Secretary's Meritorious Achievement Award, and the Administrator's Superior Achievement Award. In 2000, he received the George Rucker Memorial Award for Legislative Achievement from the Community Transportation Association of America. And in 2003, President George W. Bush conferred on him the rank of Meritorious Executive in the Senior Executive Service.

But there is an even more valuable measure of a man's work than awards and honors, and that is the respect of his colleagues. And, through 40 years of illustrious service, Richard Doyle has built a mountain of that respect.

His career serves as a reminder to all of us about the dignity and achievement possible in Federal service.

Comments

[Tretha]

Congratulations Mr. Doyle. It was a pleasure to work with you. Thank you for being such great role model and mentor.

[Jeffrey Mullan]

To my transportation colleagues,

Well said, Secretary LaHood.

Let me add my own congratulations to Dick Doyle for his 40 years of service to our profession. He has been a great partner of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the MBTA, and the newly created Massachusetts Department of Transportation. We have accomplished a lot together. He will be missed.

We all wish him well in all he does. Good luck, Dick.

Jeff Mullan
Secretary
Massachusetts DOT

[Michael E. Bailey]

In spite of what some might say, some of the best and brightest people we have are in government service. They serve not because of the money they can make but for what they are able to give back to society. There are always a few that just don't like any government workers, always a few who just don't like government. But we are lucky to have some of the best, most dedicated people in the public service and that is a great thing. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[Helen Knoll]

Dick Doyle was a long-time colleague, mentor and role model. He exemplified the best of Federal service as a true servant of the public and the transit industry to which he devoted his career. Dick enthusiastically embraced new initiatives and took on many difficult assignments outside his regular duties. He respected and supported FTA recipients and his fellow employees, all of whom will miss him.