BOSTON (CBS/AP) — Gov. Deval Patrick has chosen MBTA General Manager Richard Davey to be the state’s next secretary of transportation.

It was announced at an afternoon news conference at the State House.

The 38-year-old Davey would take over as secretary on Sept. 1.

He has held the top spot in the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s top position since March 2010.

Davey would succeed Jeffrey Mullan, who has said he will leave the $150,000-a-year job later in the year.

Mullan was criticized earlier this year after the collapse of a Big Dig lighting fixture was not publicly disclosed for months.

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