TxDOT appointment also draws scrutiny from Perry critics
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas By filling a position as visible as leader of the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) Governor Perrys appointment was certain to draw attention. Even before Phil Wilson could start his new job Perrys announcement was approved and critiqued by various citizen watchdog groups.
In January TxDOTs previous executive director Amadeo Saenz retired three weeks after a critical report said change at the top of the agency is a critical first step to improving the departments performance and public image.
In 2009 state lawmakers lifted the engineering requirement to be the transportation head in order to attract fresh outside-the-box managers and executives. Wilson will be the first non-engineer to head the $15 billion per year 13000 employee state agency.
Peggy Venable with Americans for Prosperity a conservative government watchdog organization said engineer or not TxDOT needs a leader.
There are certainly plenty of engineers on staff at the Department of Transportation. I think what we need is someone who actually has management experience and the ability to pull that department together to
make sure it is working for the taxpayers Venable said.
People in public service need to consider it public service and we dont expect them to stay there their whole careers" said Venable.
Effective Oct. 17th as
TxDOT Executive Director Wilson became responsible for directing managing and implementing all of TxDOTs policies programs and operating strategies. He will oversee management of TXDOT-overseen transportation systems across Texas ensuring the states systems are adequate safe constructed and maintained for public traveling in the most cost effective manner.
Wilson will also represents
Texas Transportation Commission before the Texas Legislature and other entities.
Wilson previously served as Texas Secretary of State and immediately prior to becoming commissioner was Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for Luminant a Dallas-based electric generation company.
As Secretary of State Wilson was responsible for overseeing & certifying the states elections and acted as the governors chief liaison on the Texas-Mexico border issues with the states southern neighbor. He has also served as Chairman of the Governors Competitiveness Council where he helped identify ways the Texas could improve its long-term economic position.
During his time as secretary of state Wilson led a number of transportation-related programs including the Border Colonia Access Program and the
Texas Inter-Agency Work Group on the Texas and Mexico Border Affairs initiative.
The secretary of state also serves as the states chief economic development officer and in that role Wilson worked with TxDOT professionals in bringing new opportunities to the state.
As a chair of the Governors Competitiveness Council Wilson and his colleagues made several transportation recommendations to improve the states competitiveness including proposals to reexamine public-private partnerships expand inland ports repair and maintain the states existing infrastructure and advancement of rail relocation efforts.
