AASHTO Journal, 31 October 2014
Outgoing NHDOT Commissioner Chris Clement. NHDOT photo.
The Granite State’s department of transportation faces a leadership transition, as Chris Clement prepares to leave as commissioner in December after three years in that top post and Assistant Commissioner David Brillhart prepares to head the NHDOT on an acting basis.
Gov. Maggie Hassan said Clement decided to accept a position at the University of New Hampshire as vice president of finance and administration.
By state law, Brillhart would serve as acting commissioner upon Clement’s departure, the governor’s announcement said, until a permanent commissioner is confirmed by New Hampshire’s Executive Council.
Hassan praised Clement’s leadership of the department, saying he “helped maintain the safety of our roads for commuters and visitors, while helping lay the foundation for a stronger, more modern transportation infrastructure that is critical to the success of our people, businesses and economy.”
Former governor John Lynch tapped Clement to be NHDOT’s commissioner in 2011 and he was confirmed to that post on Sept. 14 that year.
Before that, Clement had directed Lynch’s Office of Economic Stimulus since February 2010. Earlier, he was deputy commissioner at NHDOT from 2008 to 2010, and worked 19 years for printing equipment supplier Goss International of Dover, N.H.