Scott Picks Boxold As Transportation Chief
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TALLAHASSEE (NSF) - Gov. Rick Scott wasted little time in selecting Jim Boxold, who for the past year has been the Florida Department of Transportation's chief of staff, to take over the top position in the agency.
Boxold's appointment Friday to succeed Ananth Prasad as state transportation secretary came a day after the Florida Transportation Commission recommended three candidates, including Boxold, for the job.
"Jim will bring passion, energy and experience to our mission of making Florida the premier destination for jobs," Scott said in a prepared statement.
Boxold, who spent six years as legislative director for former U.S. Rep. Porter Goss, served as deputy director of Cabinet affairs under former Gov. Jeb Bush before holding the position of director of cabinet affairs for the agriculture commissioner from 2003 to 2013.
Scott said in Friday's announcement that he expects Boxold to continue Prasad's efforts to build the state's transportation infrastructure.
Prasad, a professional engineer tapped by Scott to run the agency in April 2011, announced earlier this month he would step down Jan. 2.
The agency under Prasad has grown from a $7 billion operation to $10.1 billion in the current year
During the recent election campaign, Scott hyped a plan to reinforce the state's roads and airports by expanding parts of the agency's $41 billion, 5-year work program.
One area that has been a priority for Scott is the state's ports.
The Florida Ports Council sees Boxold's appointment as a sign that priority will continue.
"The appointment of Jim Boxold to the position of secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation further shows Governor Scott's commitment to the quality and efficiency of Florida's transportation system," Doug Wheeler, president and CEO of the Florida Ports Council, said in a prepared statement. "We have enjoyed working with Jim in the role of chief of staff, and look forward to continuing our cooperative efforts to enhance our freight transportation system in order to position Florida as a global hub for trade."
The state has spent $582 million the past three years on improvements at Florida's seaports, with an eye on establishing Florida as a global trade crossroad. An additional $139 million is included in the current budget for more than 20 port projects across the state.
Candidates had until Monday to apply for Prasad's job.
Also recommended by the transportation commission were Gene Conti, who worked as secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation from 2009 to 2013, and Arthur Misiaszek, a Connecticut engineer responsible for Amtrak capital projects in part of the Northeast.
Eight people applied for the job, including state Rep. Lake Ray, R-Jacksonville, who has been one of the Legislature's biggest advocates for expanding the state's seaports.
"The News Service of Florida's Jim Turner contributed to this report."
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