David Seltzer

David Seltzer is a Principal and co-founder of Mercator Advisors, a Philadelphia-based financial advisory firm formed in 2001. Mercator Advisors provides financial consulting services to governmental, corporate and non-profit organizations sponsoring major transportation projects and programs. The firm specializes in large or complex capital investments involving a blend of public and private sector resources and utilizing innovative procurement, financing or management techniques. Mr. Seltzer has over 30 years of experience in the field of public and project finance, working in both the governmental and private sectors. As Senior Advisor to the Federal Highway Administrator during TEA-21 reauthorization, Mr. Seltzer was actively involved in designing and implementing new financial assistance programs such as TIFIA and GARVEE Bonds. Before joining USDOT, Mr. Seltzer spent 20 years in investment banking, assembling public and project financings for transportation and other infrastructure programs, including Lazard Frères and Lehman Brothers. Mr. Seltzer has taught graduate level coursework in municipal finance and accounting at both The Wharton School and the Fels Center of Government at The University of Pennsylvania. He holds a BA in Urban Studies from Trinity College, Hartford and an MBA from The Wharton School.Mr. Seltzer serves on the Executive Committee of the Transportation Research Board. He also is chair of the board of Philadelphia Gas Works, the nation’s largest municipally-owned gas utility, and sits on several non-profit boards, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, and Starfinder Foundation, a soccer-based youth service organization.