AASHTO Journal, 15 May 2015
President Obama has nominated Federal Highway Administration Deputy Administrator Greg Nadeau to become the agency’s chief executive as the next FHWA administrator.
NadeauNadeau, 58, has actually been heading the agency either as deputy or acting administrator since Jan. 1, 2014, when U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx tapped former FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez to serve as acting deputy secretary for the Department of Transportation.
Obama later nominated Mendez to that post, and the Senate confirmed him in July 2014.
At that point Nadeau, who has been deputy FHWA administrator since 2009, was also named acting administrator and served with that title until February.
Earlier, Nadeau worked in various positions at the Maine DOT from 2002 to 2009, including deputy commissioner.
He was senior policy adviser to Gov. Angus King from 1995 to 2002, was a policy adviser in the Office of the Senate President of Maine from 1993 to 1994 and had been a member of the Maine House of Representatives from 1978 to 1990.
Bud Wright, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, said the president made a solid choice in nominating Nadeau to formally head the FHWA.
“Not only has Greg served as the acting FHWA administrator with distinction, he has provided the energy and vision behind the innovative ‘Every Day Counts’ program,” Wright said. “AASHTO looks forward to a speedy confirmation process for Greg. The issues facing today’s transportation industry are significant, and the FHWA deserves a strong leader.”
Maine’s two U.S. senators also offered their support for Nadeau.
“I have known Greg for many years and have worked closely with him on several projects benefiting Maine’s transportation priorities,” Republican Susan Collins said in a statement. “I am delighted the president has nominated him. This is well-earned recognition of Greg’s expertise in transportation policy.”
Independent Angus King, the former governor, said: “Greg is an experienced and thoughtful leader who will be a champion for improving and strengthening America’s highway system. As a trusted adviser during my time in the governor’s office, he provided me with invaluable advice and sound counsel, and I am confident that he will do the same for the president. I commend the president on his wise choice, and look forward to working closely with Greg to modernize America’s highway system.”
Nadeau now awaits Senate confirmation along with Therese McMillan, who was nominated to officially lead the Federal Transit Administration that she now heads on an acting basis.
And the Federal Railroad Administration is also led on an acting basis, by Sarah Feinberg.