A former Massachusetts transportation secretary and the head of the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works were named Thursday as the two finalists to become the next chief executive officer of the Massachusetts Port Authority.

MassPort Board Chair Patricia Jacobs said Richard Davey, who has deep roots in the Bay State, and Eulois Cleckley, a transportation executive in Florida, advanced to the final stage of the quasi-public agency’s search for its next top staffer, a role that has in the past come with a $400,00-plus-a-year salary.

MassPort launched a search for its next CEO after Lisa Wieland stepped down from the position last year to take over National Grid’s New England operations. Director of Aviation Ed Freni took over as interim CEO in November.

Jacobs said board members have not yet made a final decision on who will take over as CEO, an apparent effort to bat down recent reports from local New York outlets that Davey had already secured the job.

“To be clear, I know you guys all know this, but I want to state for the record, the board has not yet deliberated or voted,” Jacobs told fellow board members. “As a gentle reminder, because I know you all know this, board members can only deliberate in public session and are required by the open meeting law to do so in public session.”

A decision on the next CEO will be made at an upcoming board meeting, according to the agency.

This is a developing story…