Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has announced that Richard A. Davey, general manager of Boston’s Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) since 2010, will become secretary and chief executive officer of Massachusetts DOT effective Sept. 1. He will succeed Jeffrey Mullan, who has announced his decision to resign and return to the private sector.

“Rich has a proven record of commitment to safety and customer service, along with an energetic leadership style that will allow him to hit the ground running in continuing to implement transportation reform at MassDOT,” the governor said. “I look forward to working with Rich, and want to express my deep appreciation for Jeff Mullan’s passion and outstanding service to the citizens of the commonwealth.”

In his new role, Davey will be responsible for day-to-day management of the transportation organization created by the Transportation Reform legislation signed by Patrick in June 2009. MassDOT began operation on Nov. 1, 2009, governed by a five-person Board of Directors appointed by the governor and including four divisions: Highway, Rail & Transit, Aeronautics, and the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Before taking the helm as MassDOT's first ever secretary and CEO, Mullan was undersecretary and general counsel of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and the final executive director of the Mass Turnpike Authority. He oversaw implementation of the state’s landmark transportation reform law, including consolidation of seven state agencies and the merging of multiple departments and cultures.