AASHTO Journal, 10 January 2014
Ahead of his swearing in on Saturday, Jan. 11, Virginia Governor-Elect Terry McAuliffe announced that Aubrey Layne will serve as the Commonwealth’s next transportation secretary. Layne will succeed Sean Connaughton, who was appointed by Gov. Bob McDonnell in December 2009.
“Aubrey’s experience in statewide transportation planning and in the private sector give him valuable perspective on the pivotal role that transportation planning, construction and maintenance play in creating an environment where businesses can locate and thrive,” McAuliffe said, according to Hampton Roads news outlet WAVY.com. “He will be a Secretary of Transportation for the entire Commonwealth, and together we will work to find bipartisan, statewide solutions to growing our economy, creating more jobs here, and improving the quality of life for all Virginians.”
McAuliffe made his announcement on Nov. 22 at the Port of Virginia.
“We need to provide diligent representation for the taxpayers,” Layne said at the time of the announcement. “We must do what we can to get cars off the road by investing in passenger rail and light rail. It’s not going to be easy. Resources are tight, but the passage of legislation to put new money into transportation for the first time in nearly three decades means the next transportation secretary will have more flexibility than his predecessors. So thank you, Terry, for your confidence, and I pledge to bring my energies, experience and enthusiasm to this post.”
Layne, a businessman, has served on the Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board since 2009, working with governors from both parties. He is currently president of Achievable Dream Academies, a nonprofit that that bridges public schools and local businesses to help lower-income students in Newport News. Layne also serves as chair of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission, a position he has held since 2012.
Layne’s full remarks at the Nov. 22 announcement are available here.