AASHTO Journal, 16 January 2015
Maryland Gov.-elect Larry Hogan on Jan. 13 named Pete Rahn to become transportation secretary after he starts his administration Jan. 21. In Rahn he picked a former president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials who has led state highway agencies in both New Mexico and Missouri.
Hogan, who has indicated he favors road construction over commuter rail projects, called Rahn “the best highway builder in the entire country.” Hogan also told reporters he will work to reduce tolls at Maryland’s tunnels and bridges.
Rahn in a 2009 MoDOT photo.Rahn has been with the Kansas City, Mo.-based HNTB construction engineering firm since March 2010, and most recently has also been chairman of the New Mexico Transportation Commission that oversees that state’s Department of Transportation.
He had headed the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department from 1995 to 2002. In September 2004, he became Missouri’s transportation director and headed that state DOT until he resigned in March 2010 to head HNTB’s national transportation practice and to return to his home in New Mexico.
While he led the Missouri DOT, Rahn was elected by AASHTO’s board of directors as association president for the year starting Oct. 2, 2007.