Fellows Biographies

Michael G. Massiah

(2006) – Michael Massiah began his Port Authority career in 1981 as a Leadership Fellow.  During his 29 years of service, he has worked in progressively more responsible capacities within the agency holding key positions including Manager, Employment Division, Human Resources Department; Director, Office of Business and Job Opportunity, and Deputy Director and Director, Human Resources Department.  While in the Human Resources Department, Mr. Massiah’s accomplishments included: Reorganization of the department from a functional structure with a transactional approach to a client focused structure emphasizing problem solving workforce concerns and a competency based HR model that supports selection, succession, diversity and training programs.

Established a new “state of the art” Center for Learning and Achievement which is the home of numerous competency based training and development programs and e-learning for all levels of the Port Authority’s 7000 member workforce.

Directed the design of the employee benefit and compensation programs that are “best in class” while supporting cost containment objectives.  One of 10 public or private sector organizations that implemented the maximum reimbursement option of Medicare Part D, a Federal program that reduces employee day benefit costs.

Oversaw the upgrading of the agency’s Human Resources Information System via PeopleSoft, enabling workforce and diversity planning and more efficient salary administration services.

Developed a Diversity Policy and Program that received recognition from the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM).

While continuing to serve as Director of the Human Resources Department, in January 2004,

Mr. Massiah was appointed to a special assignment – Director of the newly created Office of Organizational Effectiveness and Change Management (OECM), whose primary role was to identify and implement cost efficiencies throughout the agency.

In March 2006, Mr. Massiah was called upon to head the newly constructed Management and Budget Department (MBD).  Under his leadership, and the consolidation of the Financial Services Department and OECM, the new MBD was charged with full responsibility for the agency’s financial services, budget preparation, management control and continuous improvement efforts through program review and evaluation.

In addition to his work experience, Mr. Massiah holds a bachelor’s degree in History and Education from Le Moyne College and a master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Urban Management from State University of New York, Albany, and is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.

Mr. Massiah’s involvement in professional committees include: the American Society of Public Administration (former National Council Member), John Jay College’s Master of Public Administration Advisory Board, Diocese of Brooklyn Education Commission, the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project (Board Member and Audit Committee Chair), Conference of Minority Public Administrators (Past President), and the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration Site Accreditation Team Member.  In 2007, Mr. Massiah joined the John J. College of Criminal Justice Graduate of Public Administration Program as an adjunct faculty member teaching courses in Human Resources Management.  In June 2009, the Government Finance Officers Association presented Mr. Massiah with the Certificate of Recognition for Budget Preparation for having been instrumental in the Port Authority achieving the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, which is the highest award in governmental budgeting.