US Presidential Cabinet Secretary. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the first Secretary of Transportation during the Administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson from 1967 to 1969. His great-grandfather John Stephenson invented and patented the first horse-drawn street car on rails which began operations in New York City in 1832. Alan studied for two years at the University of Florida, prior to serving with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. During this period, he piloted supplies to troops during the Normandy Invasion (June 1944). Following his return home, he attained his law degree from the University of Virginia and returned to his native Florida where he joined a Miami law firm of which George A. Smathers (who went on to become a US Congressman and Senator) was a senior partner. It would be through him where Boyd got his first exposure to the political arena as he worked on Smathers' campaign. By the early 1960s, he was serving as general council for the Florida State Turnpike Authority and was the chairman of the Florida Railroad and Public Utilities Commission. He came to the attention of then Vice President Lyndon Johnson in 1961, while Boyd was serving on the Civil Aeronautics Board and in 1965, President Johnson appointed him as under secretary of commerce for transportation. After the Department of Transportation was approved by Congress in 1966, Boyd became the first Secretary of Transportation in April of 1967. During his tenure at this capacity, Boyd's department modernized airports and updated driver's test regulations. After leaving Washington, he served for President Carter's administration in addition to serving on numerous boards.
US Presidential Cabinet Secretary. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the first Secretary of Transportation during the Administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson from 1967 to 1969. His great-grandfather John Stephenson invented and patented the first horse-drawn street car on rails which began operations in New York City in 1832. Alan studied for two years at the University of Florida, prior to serving with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. During this period, he piloted supplies to troops during the Normandy Invasion (June 1944). Following his return home, he attained his law degree from the University of Virginia and returned to his native Florida where he joined a Miami law firm of which George A. Smathers (who went on to become a US Congressman and Senator) was a senior partner. It would be through him where Boyd got his first exposure to the political arena as he worked on Smathers' campaign. By the early 1960s, he was serving as general council for the Florida State Turnpike Authority and was the chairman of the Florida Railroad and Public Utilities Commission. He came to the attention of then Vice President Lyndon Johnson in 1961, while Boyd was serving on the Civil Aeronautics Board and in 1965, President Johnson appointed him as under secretary of commerce for transportation. After the Department of Transportation was approved by Congress in 1966, Boyd became the first Secretary of Transportation in April of 1967. During his tenure at this capacity, Boyd's department modernized airports and updated driver's test regulations. After leaving Washington, he served for President Carter's administration in addition to serving on numerous boards.
Bio by: C.S.
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