Sean Connaughton Chosen to be VA Transportation Secretary

Former MARAD Chief to lead the Commonwealth as it faces massive budget shortfall and serious multi-modal transportation challenges.

Virginia's incoming governor, Robert F. McDonnell (R), this week named Sean Connaughton to manage the state’s ports, rail and surface road infrastructure. The former chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors is also probably better known nationally as the U.S. Maritime Administrator during the latter part of the Bush Admininstration. During that period, Connaughton drew high marks from the maritime industry as someone who waded into the tough issues and got the job done.

Connaughton arrives in Richmond at a time when the Commonwealth’s collective transportation budget shortfall is seen as acute, with hundreds of unfinished projects and little in the way of tax dollars to fund those efforts. In other words, a scenario not much unlike that which he faced at MARAD – attempting similar tasks – not too long ago. For his part, Connaughton says, “I am intimately aware of the challenges facing Virginia's transportation system.” Referring to the painful gridlock and failing infrastructure facing Northern Virginia commuters in particular, he added, “Much must be done to maintain and to improve our transportation system and reduce the negative impact it has on our business, quality of life of our citizens and the environment.”

Connaughton’s resume includes time spent as head of U.S. Maritime Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation, for three years. He is a 1983 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point and earned a law degree from George Mason University. More recently, he has worked as corporate vice president of government affairs for the American Bureau of Shipping. He knows his way around the Hill in Washington.

From the maritime side of the equation, shortsea shipping advocates hope that his presence in Richmond will help to jumpstart efforts to remove trucks from the I-64 corridor between Richmond and Hampton Roads. Norfolk, in particular, remains as a popular candidate to be dredged to 60 feet and become one of the nation’s super ports, from which shortsea shipping can become a viable reality.

Connaughton's appointment will be taken up by the VA General Assembly in January. Widely hailed as moderate with a reputation of getting the job done, there appears to be little reason to believe that he will not be confirmed. – MarEx.