AASHTO Journal, 5 December 2014
Ananth Prasad
Gov. Rick Scott said the Florida Transportation Commission will begin identifying candidates who could become the next secretary at the state transportation department, as he announced the Jan. 2 departure of Ananth Prasad from the top FDOT post.
One news report said the commission — a nine-member citizens oversight board with representatives from different parts of Florida – would convene early in 2015 to consider applicants. Scott said that panel will present its recommendations to him, for the FDOT post that oversees a wide range of modal operations.
Prasad, who is returning to private sector work, has been Florida’s transportation secretary since April 18, 2011. Before that he was the department’s assistant secretary for engineering and operations, and except for a two-year stint at an infrastructure firm he’d been with the department more than two decades.
Scott in his announcement said Prasad had helped “Florida become a major force in international trade because of his commitment to expanding our Florida ports and airports.” Under Prasad, the agency budget swelled with infrastructure investments, to a record $10.1 billion this year from a reported $7 billion when he took the FDOT helm.
“We will continue making our transportation system a top priority,” Scott said, “as we select another excellent leader for this department.”
In a message to FDOT employees, Prasad said: “It is with mixed emotions that I am letting you know that I have decided to leave public service to pursue opportunities in the private sector.”
He also sounded an economic multiplier theme that has been taken up by other state DOT executives and governors as they try to boost transportation investments.
Prasad thanked Scott for “articulating a clear vision for Florida and how the right investments in the transportation infrastructure can yield a significant return for the state.” He said Scott “helped me and the agency realize that DOT is much bigger than roads, bridges, ports and airports, it is truly a facilitator of economic development.”