rohit khare dmglualumnicaltechedu solution mr lombardi championed seems like obvious one today time revolutionary said replace key components subway cars break 1979 mr lombardi said subway cars broke average every 4800 miles traveled today average breakdown every 149000 miles stunning boy glad get local edition newsprint sometimes stumble upon gems like one hes impressive career article inspirational engineering lowkey way tidbit easy consultant days lombardi saw chance late 1970s assigned work engineering consultant hired tackle problem subway breakdowns attaché case mr lombardi said outsider going listen maybe still strategy consulting still often seems like mastering obvious remembering obvious easily done corporate culture hasnt changed 45 years either rohit new york times httpwwwnytimescom20071013nyregion13lombardihtml october 13 2007 45 years new yorks subway chief reached stop william neuman retires next month michael lombardi spent 45 years working subway rising 243anhour job machinists helper top job system senior vice president subways new york city transit lot things four half decades important contribution eyes many peers role played wrenching subway system abyss fallen 1970s early 1980s went terrible terrible period nothing worked said mr lombardi 63 broadshouldered man ready laugh silvery pompadour nothing worked trains didnt work doors didnt work always smoking always fire always late incredible worst subway world solution mr lombardi championed seems like obvious one today time revolutionary said replace key components subway cars break idea originated 1960s mechanical engineer named doug tilton mr lombardi said local inhouse genius subway cars mr tilton cataloged dozens subway car parts calculated useful life time neither way complete rethinking subway cars maintained money buy new cars upkeep bought new cars let disintegrate mr lombardi said imagine 1970 mr lombardi instructor training electricians mechanics subway car repair late 20s already something rising star mr tilton saw kindred spirit said take program mr lombardi recalled put desk drawer may make top mr lombardi said days managers transit agency interested new ideas employees mr lombardi saw chance late 1970s assigned work engineering consultant hired tackle problem subway breakdowns attaché case mr lombardi said outsider going listen together promoted mr tiltons idea support high level transit officials mr lombardi said city put seed money get program started 1981 state authorized multibilliondollar plan improve condition citys transit system program received another boost today known scheduled maintenance system extended bus fleet copied transit agencies combined purchase thousands new subway cars impact remarkable 1979 mr lombardi said subway cars broke average every 4800 miles traveled today average breakdown every 149000 miles worst system earth leaders pack mr lombardi said howard h roberts jr president new york city transit called maintenance program mr lombardi helped create maybe greatest transit achievement know people theyve taught mr roberts said mike couple colleagues literally transcend established wisdom hit upon idea starting replace major components caused mechanical problems really point view makes career extraordinary seem aspects subway system mr lombardi touched helped develop special kind paint subway cars made easier wash graffiti spurred changes way subway cars designed helped manage evacuation subway riders blackouts world trade center attack sept 11 2001 mr lombardi born 1943 grew east new york brooklyn father john worked subways 31 years starting conductor eventually becoming tower operator father retired 1972 10 years mr lombardi age 18 got first subway job 2002 mr lombardi promoted current job gives responsibility entire subway system two mr lombardis children work metropolitan transportation authority well mr lombardi known wit im wisecracker said talking childrens careers jokes believes keeping nepotism family son gregory 46 worked subway system 27 years general superintendent coney island overhaul shop job mr lombardi held mid1980s hes sitting old seat mr lombardi said hes also stolen joke book said daughter laurie 36 assistant budget director transportation authoritys capital construction corporation another daughter tracey 33 nurse coronary care unit hospital southern california mr lombardi said retiring part spend time wife alicia career call 24 hours day many times phone rang middle night years said phone wifes side bed awakened countless times sitting office new york city transit headquarters lower broadway mr lombardi projects enthusiasm brings mind teenager thrilled get first job subway youthful manager searching ways fix broken system recounted conversation younger colleague unhappy job looking forward early retirement attitude mr lombardi could understand im saying ill swap today said ill wed 06 aug 2008 062011 0400 fork nyt consulting easy mta subways chief