Boston 2024, the organizing committee trying to bring the Olympics to Boston, has tapped the former head of the state Transportation Department to lead their campaign.

Richard Davey, the Secretary and CEO of MassDOT under Governor Deval Patrick from 2011 to 2014, has assumed his new role as the head of Boston 2024, replacing Dan O’Connell, who lead the Olympic group’s initial efforts to bring the Games to the Hub.

“This is a terrific opportunity to build upon all the great work and planning that has already been done,” Davey said in a statement. “But in many ways this is just the beginning. Over the next year we will be in every community in Boston – and in every region of the state – to get the thoughts and input of the public on what a 2024 Games would look like and the kind of legacy it could and should leave for Massachusetts.”

O’Connell, who served as Secretary of Housing and Economic Development during the Patrick administration, said in a statement that he is “thrilled Rich Davey has agreed to join the team at 2024.”

Continued O’Connell: “Working with the team to craft the initial proposal and to win the support and confidence of the USOC is one of the proudest moments of my career. Rich will now grab the baton for the next two years and I look forward to working with him as a member of the Executive Committee to bring the Games to Boston.”

John Fish, the Chairman of Boston 2024 and head of Suffolk Construction said in a statement:

Dan O’Connell was integral in making the case over the last year that Boston could host a Games that was sustainable, cost-effective, and that would leave a lasting legacy for Boston and Massachusetts. Chairman of Boston 2024, in a statement. We are indebted to him for his tireless efforts and thrilled that he will be remaining on the team as a member of the Boston 2024 Executive Committee.

Davey resigned from his position at MassDOT November 1. Davey was the longest serving MassDOT chief of the Patrick administration.

Photo via MassDOT