Council Confirms MassDOT’s Sheehan to Become Next New Hampshire DOT Chief

The New Hampshire Executive Council voted Sept. 16 to confirm the nomination of Victoria Sheehan to be the next commissioner of the state Department of Transportation.

 Sheehan

Gov. Maggie Hassan had nominated Sheehan last month after a governor-appointed search panel offered her name as its top recommendation, and the appointment was subject to council approval.

Sheehan is now manager of strategic planning and highway performance at the neighboring Massachusetts Department of Transportation, where she has worked more than 10 years in various positions.

In her current role she coordinates the MassDOT Highway Division’s five-year, $5 billion capital plan and annual $600 million operating budget, according to Hassan’s nomination announcement.

The NHDOT has been headed since April 16 on an interim basis by Acting Commissioner and Chief Engineer William Cass.

When Sheehan becomes the agency’s CEO she will follow Chris Clement, who left in December for a position at the University of New Hampshire.

After the Executive Council action, Hassan said: “With years of experience managing complex transportation projects and programs through her distinguished career, Victoria Sheehan has the skills and knowledge needed to lead the Department of Transportation as it continues its critical work to ensure that we have the transportation infrastructure that our 21st century economy needs to grow and thrive.”

The governor added that she will work with Sheehan “and other transportation officials to continue our efforts to ensure that New Hampshire has the safe and modern transportation infrastructure that our people and businesses need to succeed.”