James S. Simpson has been the Federal Transit Administrator since August 10, 2006. Jim began his career in transportation 30 years ago as a tractor-trailer driver for a local moving company and moved up to shape the company into a major international one.
For his work in the moving industry, the U.S. Department of Commerce honored Simpson with an International Trade Award for service excellence. His other honors include being the first recipient of the “Employer of the Year Award” from the American Moving and Storage Association. In 1993, he was a finalist in the Ernst & Young/NASDAQ’s “National Entrepreneur of the Year” award.
In 1995, New York Governor George E. Pataki appointed Simpson as a Commissioner of the New York State Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) where he served for 10 years on the Finance Committee, the New York City Transit Committee and the Governance Committee. Additionally, he was Chairman of the Real Estate & Planning Committee and the Safety and Security Committee. Immediately following 9/11, he was designated the primary MTA Board liaison to the Governor’s and Mayor’s Offices in coordinating transit activities at the World Trade Center site.
Governor Pataki also appointed Simpson as a member of the New York State Job Development Authority Board. Under New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s administration, he was appointed Honorary Deputy Police Commissioner for the New York City Police Department. The New York City Police Department’s Honor Legion also honored him with a membership. In addition, Mayor Giuliani appointed him to the New York City Work Force Investment Board.
Simpson's many other civic roles include serving as a Director of the New York City Partnership and Chamber of Commerce; Chairman of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce; Vice Chairman of Snug Harbor Cultural Center; and board member of Staten Island University and St. Vincent’s Hospitals. He has received numerous awards from non-profit organizations for his civic leadership and philanthropy.
Jim graduated Magna Cum Laude from St. John’s University, with a B.S. in Managerial Science and Economics. He is a member of the National Honor Society of Economics, the National Business Honor Society, a 1995 Alumni of the David Rockefeller Fellowship Program, a 1996 British American Fellow, and served on the Rockefeller Fellows Admissions Committee. In 1999, St. John’s University presented Jim with its Medal of Achievement.
In 2004, President George W. Bush nominated and the United States Senate Simpson to the St. Lawrence Seaway Advisory Board, where he was elevated to Chairman.
He has been an airplane pilot for over twenty years and flies both jet and multi-engine prop aircraft. He has a special interest in transportation safety.