The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has promoted Treasurer Richard G. Burnfield to the position of deputy manager.
Burnfield, who has been the agency’s treasurer for the last seven years, will continue in the financial post while also taking on the deputy general manager role. He has spent the last 36 years at SEPTA and previously worked for the New Jersey Transit Corp.
Under Burnfield’s leadership, SEPTA has achieved balanced budgets for 16 consecutive years while often faced with uncertain funding support. He introduced initiatives such as the largest station naming rights program in the nation and an award-winning sustainability program.
In his new role, Burnfield will oversee SEPTA divisions and departments responsible for financial efficiency, resource management, business partnership development, employee development, labor relations, communications and information technology. His treasurer duties include managing the Authority’s financial interests, such as the $1.3 billion operating budget and $534 million capital budget.
“Rich has played a major role in establishing and maintaining fiscal stability at the Authority,” said SEPTA Board Chairman Pasquale T. Deon in a statement. “At the same time, he has introduced new business strategies to help keep SEPTA on solid ground moving forward.”
Burnfield and SEPTA have received the “Distinguished Budget Presentation Award” in each of the last 10 years from the Government Finance Officers Association. He was also recognized by the American Public Transportation Association with the 2012 Outstanding Public Transit System Award.
SEPTA is rated A1 by Moody's Investors Service and double-A by Fitch Ratings. It is the primary transit provider for the Philadelphia region and the sixth largest transportation agency in the nation.
