Mangano in search for new MTA board member

Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano has begun the process of nominating a local representative to the 17-member MTA Board.

Mangano will submit the names of three individuals to New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in the coming weeks to serve as Nassau's lone representative on the board. Cuomo will make the final decision.

"The county executive plans to meet with the governor in the coming weeks to deliver the names of his nominees," said Mangano spokesman Katie Grilli-Robles.

The nominee will replace Patrick Foye, who stepped down Wednesday after being confirmed as the Port Authority's new executive director.

Board member Nancy Shevell, the wife of former Beatle Paul McCartney, also stepped down Wednesday and will be replaced by a Cuomo selection.

Mangano appointed Foye, his former deputy county executive for economic development, in May 2010. His appointee will complete Foye's term, which expires June 30, 2015.

Members of the board are nominated by the governor, with four recommended by New York City's mayor and one each by the county executives of Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Dutchess, Orange, Rockland and Putnam.

According to the state Public Authorities Law, board members should have experience in either transportation, public administration, business management, finance, accounting, law, engineering, land use, urban and regional planning, management of large capital projects or labor relations.

The position is unpaid, and requires State Senate confirmation.