Gordon Linton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gordon J. Linton
Federal Transit Administration Official portrait
Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration
In office 1993–1999
President	Bill Clinton
Preceded by	Brian Clymer
Succeeded by	Jennifer Dorn
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 200th district
In office January 4, 1983 – August 13, 1993
Preceded by	John F. White Jr.
Succeeded by	LeAnna Washington
Personal details
Born	(1948-03-26) March 26, 1948 (age 77) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Lincoln University, B.A. Antioch University, M.Ed

Gordon J. Linton (born March 26, 1948) is a public servant who helped improve transportation in the United States. He was chosen by President Bill Clinton to lead the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in 1993. He worked there until 1999.

Before that, Linton was a lawmaker in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1982 to 1993. He represented the 200th Legislative District in Philadelphia. Throughout his career, Gordon Linton worked on important projects that helped people and communities who needed it most.

Early Life and Education

Gordon Linton was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up in North Philadelphia with his mother, who managed their home, his father, who worked in construction and as a barber, and a younger brother. He went to William Kelly Elementary School, Vaux Junior High School, and Thomas Edison High School. He graduated from Olney High School in 1965.

After high school, Linton attended Peirce Junior College (now Peirce College). He earned an associate degree in business management in 1967. He then went to Lincoln University in Oxford, Pennsylvania. This was the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the nation to grant degrees. He graduated in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in economics.

Later, Linton served on Lincoln University's Board of Trustees. He also created a scholarship fund there for students studying public policy. In 1997, he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Lincoln University. This was to honor his work for Pennsylvania and his service to the public. In 1974, Linton earned a master's degree in Counseling/Psychology from Antioch University in Philadelphia.

Career Highlights

Early Work in Psychology

Early in his career, Gordon Linton saw how much people's lives are affected by things they cannot control. After graduating from Lincoln University, he worked with psychologists in Philadelphia's Catholic schools. This experience helped him understand how to help people with their social and economic needs.

Linton focused on educational programs in Philadelphia to help children and families. He worked as a Community Consultant for the School District of Philadelphia. He also served as education director for Baptist Children's House, which helped children who were neglected or dependent. Later, he worked with teenagers and families at the Philadelphia Child Guidance Center.

Working for Pennsylvania

Linton became involved in creating and managing state-funded community programs. He worked as the Eastern Regional Administrator for the Office of the Auditor General in Pennsylvania. In this role, he checked how public welfare agencies were spending money. He made sure they followed rules and used funds wisely to help people in communities that needed support.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

In the late 1970s, Gordon Linton became active in politics and community organizing in Philadelphia. In 1982, he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He represented the 200th Legislative District, which included parts of West Oak Lane, East Mount Airy, Chestnut Hill, and Upper Roxborough.

Linton served six terms as a lawmaker. He was known for being hardworking and effective. He helped improve the quality of life for people in his district. He quickly became a leader on the House Transportation Committee. He wrote and sponsored 12 laws, especially in transportation, business, and government reform. He became the main supporter of public transportation in the Pennsylvania Legislature. He helped create the first special funding source for mass transit in the state.

During his time as a lawmaker, Linton:

• Was appointed chair of the House Select Committee on Minority & Women-owned Businesses. He pushed for an investigation into how many state contracts went to businesses owned by minorities and women.
• Introduced a law, Act 230 of 1984, to stop fake businesses from getting contracts meant for minority and women-owned businesses. This law gained national attention.
• Helped pass a law that created a $5 million loan fund for minority businesses. This was part of the Pennsylvania Economic Revitalization Fund of 1984.
• Was elected chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus from 1986 to 1993. He worked to increase minority business participation in state contracts.
• Helped pass the law that created Pennsylvania's first dedicated funding for mass transit.
• Helped pass Pennsylvania's first law requiring people to wear seat belts.
• Introduced a law to make sure Pennsylvania's share of the Benjamin Franklin Estate Trust would help people by giving funds to community foundations.
• Created the House Taskforce on Senior Citizens Shared Ride Program. He fought to keep funding for this program.
• Served as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee.
• Was appointed to a special commission by Governor Casey to suggest judges for appointments.
• Served as a Commonwealth Trustee for Lincoln University.
• Was a member of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials.
• Was a member of the Transportation Institute Advisory Council.
• Was a member of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Disadvantaged Business Advisory Council.

Federal Transit Administration

Because of his knowledge and success in transportation issues in Pennsylvania, President Bill Clinton nominated Gordon Linton to lead the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The U.S. Senate approved his nomination, and he was appointed in 1993.

As the Federal Transit Administrator, Linton was the nation's top official for public transportation policies and programs. He helped shape President Clinton's public transportation plans and budget. He also managed all federal transit programs, both in the U.S. and internationally. Linton oversaw an annual budget of $5 billion and managed employees in the FTA's Washington, D.C. headquarters and 10 regional offices. His leadership helped create Livable Community Initiatives, which made public transit easier for everyone to use and connect to their daily lives.

President Bill Clinton said in 1993, "Gordon Linton is a distinguished public servant with an unquestionable knowledge of transportation matters."

During his time at the DOT, Linton:

• Managed over $37 billion in federal money invested in public transportation.
• Negotiated agreements for 22 new public transportation projects, totaling $10 billion.
• Led changes in laws and policies to start the FTA's Livable Community Initiative in 1994.
• Created the first international transportation program in FTA's history. He advised foreign governments on U.S. public transit policies.
• Represented the U.S. in agreements and trade missions with other governments.
• Launched the Bus Rapid Transit Consortium. This group of 17 cities worked together to develop a national program promoting rapid bus systems.
• Led a group to Curitiba, Brazil, to study their successful rapid bus system. This helped speed up its use in the U.S.
• Helped sign an important agreement between the Federal Transit Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, and the South African Department of Transport. This agreement helped South Africa improve its transportation through technology sharing, education, and business development.