MD transportation head cites age, ‘demanding’ nature of job as reasons for departure

Listen to this article

A Maryland department secretary is leaving their position for the third time this year, but Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld’s reasoning behind that decision is simply personal.

In an interview with The Daily Record, Wiedefeld cited his upcoming 70th birthday and his long, demanding career in the industry as reasons for his departure. 

Wiedefeld said the job was “extremely demanding, 24/7, every day of the week.” He said he wanted to work through the legislative and budget cycle before leaving. He had spoken to Moore to notify him about his plans to move on and said his departure was an entirely individual decision. 

“If anything, the governor’s office was trying to convince me to stay,” he said. 

Gov. Wes Moore announced Wednesday that Wiedefeld will leave his post on Aug. 1 and that Deputy Secretary Samantha Biddle will take over as the interim leader while Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller leads a nationwide search for a new secretary. 

Wiedefeld worked in the transportation industry in both the public and private sectors for over 40 years. He was the CEO of Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport for 10 years, during which he grew BWI to become the leading passenger airport in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. He also led the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, or Metro, from 2015 to 2022. 

Looking back on his career, Wiedefeld was most proud of the way he transformed MDOT’s reputation and credibility as a leading, positive force in the state government. 

“One of the biggest things I focused on was getting the organization back to the level that I wanted it to be,” he said. “Which is one of the best departments in the country and delivering projects and working with communities.” 

He expressed confidence in Biddle, who served alongside him for his entire tenure leading MDOT, to continue with the mission of the department. He said part of his work was ensuring that the department had depth of talent throughout all levels of administration. 

Wiedefeld will take a break from work once he leaves the department in August. He mentioned the possibility of working with certain universities and nonprofits, but said nothing is certain yet.  

Moore chose Wiedefeld to lead MDOT in 2023. In a statement, Moore thanked him for his over two years of service to the state. 

“Our state is grateful for Paul Wiedefeld‘s distinguished service over the last two and a half years,” he said. “Under Paul’s leadership, we’ve made it easier for Marylanders to get from where they live to where opportunity lies — and laid the foundation for a more competitive, affordable state for all.” 

Wiedefeld is the third state department secretary to leave their position since January. Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Vincent Schiraldi left an embattled department in June. Health Secretary Laura Herrera Scott stepped down amid controversy over the state of a psychiatric hospital and budget cuts.

Biddle expressed to Maryland Matters her willingness to take over Wiedefeld’s position full time.

“My heart has been fully rooted in public service, really, ever since I joined the department just about 11 years ago, and so it would be really hard for me to not pursue that wholeheartedly,” she said.

Wiedefeld is a native of Baltimore. He attended Mount St. Joseph High School before Towson University, where he earned a degree in political science, and Rutgers University, where he earned a master’s in city and regional planning.