MassDOT Secretary Appointed To Federal Highway Administration

State transportation secretary Stephanie Pollack is leaving the commonwealth for Washington, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Wednesday.

Pollack was named deputy administrator of the Federal Highway Administration. She has been part of the Baker administration since it began in 2015.

The governor's office said Jamey Tesler, who is currently the head of the registry, will serve as acting transportation secretary.

“Stephanie has led MassDOT through many difficult challenges over the past six years; from the historic blizzards that exposed the problems of the MBTA, through saving the GLX project, instituting a data-driven Capital Improvement Plan, and guiding the RMV through a crisis last summer,” Baker said in the statement. “She has provided MassDOT with stability and leadership through the last six years, serving longer than her three predecessors combined.”

Pollack called leading MassDOT "a privilege."

“Massachusetts has become a leader in delivering a transportation system that puts people first and provides them with safer and better choices for walking, biking, using transit, or driving and I am confident that Jamey will be able to continue that good work," she said in the statement.

Pollack's last day in Massachusetts will be Tuesday, and she begins serving in her new role the following day.