AGE: 48.

FAMILY: Wife, Charlotte; son Mayo.

RESIDENCE: Wenham.

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in history from Assumption College in Worcester; master's degree in public administration from American University in Washington, D.C.; juris doctorate from Suffolk University, Boston.

WORK HISTORY: Appointed chairman of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority by acting Gov. Jane Swift in February 2002. Appointed commissioner of the Massachusetts Highway Department in 1999 by Gov. Paul Cellucci after a failed congressional bid. Served as state senator from Worcester, 1991-1998. Ranking minority member of the Joint Committee on Transportation.

RESIGNATION: Amorello resigned Thursday, effective Aug. 15, after weeks of pressure following the death of a motorist who was crushed by a falling ceiling panels in a Big Dig tunnel.

FEUD WITH GOVERNOR: Gov. Mitt Romney for years has tried and failed to remove Amorello. Romney has criticized the authority for wasteful spending and inadequate government oversight, and said Amorello was not qualified to run the agency. After the tunnel death, Romney gained control of the inspection and reopening of the tunnel and began the legal process to remove Amorello.