Joseph C. Szabo

Joseph Szabo

Appointed as executive director by the Board of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) in June 2015, Joseph C. Szabo has varied experience in local, state, and federal governments, civic affairs, and transportation. CMAP developed and is now guiding implementation of the GO TO 2040 comprehensive regional plan, which addresses the fundamental challenges -- including land use and transportation -- that shape residents' daily lives. Prior to joining CMAP, Szabo had served 2009-15 as the twelfth Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) within the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT). He led a staff of over 900 professionals located in Washington, DC, and at field offices across the nation as the first FRA head to come from the ranks of rail workers. Szabo began his public service as a zoning commission member in his native south suburban Riverdale, Illinois, where he later served as a park district commissioner, village trustee, and ultimately mayor. He also was a member of the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association executive board and transportation committee and the regional Council of Mayors executive committee. His prior service also included membership on the Executive Council of Chicago Metropolis 2020 (later known as Metropolis Strategies), the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, and the Legislative Committee of the Chicagoland Metropolitan Planning Council. He holds a baccalaureate degree in Labor Relations from Governors State University and received an honorary doctorate from Lewis University for his lifetime commitment to public service.