The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) today announced that it has hired a new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Shoshana M. Lew will assume the duties of COO of RIDOT on Monday, April 3, 2017.
Ms. Lew most recently served as Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs for the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). In this position, she managed the teams that developed and implemented the transportation department's $76 billion budget and performance review program. She also served as vice chair of USDOT's Credit Council which sets the Department's credit policies.
RIDOT Director Peter Alviti said, "Ms. Lew is uniquely qualified to continue the momentum started last year at RIDOT through RhodeWorks. She understands efficiency, urgency, expediency, accountability and transparency. We will all benefit from what she brings to the department."
Prior to holding the position of Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Lew served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy at USDOT. Her work in this capacity included accelerating permitting and delivery of infrastructure projects.
She also worked in other areas of the federal government including the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the Office of Management and Budget and Domestic Policy Council within the White House. Prior to her federal service, Ms. Lew worked at the Brookings Institution.
A graduate of Harvard College with a B.A. in history, Ms. Lew also has an M.A. in history from Northwestern University. She replaces Peter Garino who left the department in January of this year and was a key architect of the RhodeWorks legislation.