Ex-Congressman Molinaro Confirmed
To Lead Federal Transit Administration
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Aug. 2 that Marcus J. Molinaro was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 16th Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration.
“I applaud the U.S. Senate for confirming Administrator Molinaro earlier today. Marc’s leadership, experience, and commitment to Making Transit Safe Again will be a strong asset to the Department,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “I am confident Administrator Molinaro will help usher in the golden age of transit helping our transit partners maintain safe and clean systems that move American families forward.”
Administrator Molinaro, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Saturday, is a lifelong New Yorker. He most recently served as the U.S. Representative for New York’s 19th Congressional District. In Congress, he was a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, and the House Committee on Small Business—advocating for rural economies, infrastructure modernization and small business growth across Upstate New York.
His career in public service began in 1994 at just 18 years old, when he was elected to the Village Board of Trustees in Tivoli, NY. One year later, he was elected Mayor of Tivoli—becoming the youngest mayor in America at the time. He was re-elected five times, earning a reputation for revitalizing the village and strengthening local government.
Simultaneously, he served four terms in the Dutchess County Legislature. From 2006 to 2011, Mr. Molinaro represented the 103rd District in the New York State Assembly where he served as Assistant Minority Leader Pro Tempore. In 2011, he was elected Dutchess County Executive, a position he held for three terms. He served in leadership roles with the New York State Association of Counties and as president of the New York State County Executives Association. In 2023, he stepped down as County Executive following his election to Congress.
In 2015, he founded the ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative—a call to action for communities to foster inclusion and break down barriers for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. The initiative became a national model and has since been adopted by municipalities across New York and beyond.
Administrator Molinaro resides in Catskill, NY, with his wife, Corinne, and their four children. Tariq Bokhari, who previously served as acting administrator, now transitions to the role of deputy administrator.
Published: August 6, 2025