Infra Insight Blog

At its first regular meeting since the retirement of Amadeo Saenz, Jr. at the end of August, the Texas Transportation Commission named its choice for his replacement.  Effective October 17, 2011, former Texas Secretary of State Phil Wilson began his new job as TxDOT’s 19th Executive Director.  Mr. Wilson comes to TxDOT from Luminant, a Dallas-based electric generation company, where he was the senior vice president of public affairs.

In addition to his position as Texas’ Secretary of State, Mr. Wilson’s history of public service includes time working for both former U.S. Senator Phil Gram and current Texas Governor Rick Perry.  He also served as the chairman of the Governor’s Competitiveness Council where he fostered ideas for improving the state’s economic position for continued long term success including proposals to re-examine public-private partnerships, expand inland ports, repair and maintain existing infrastructure and promote rail relocation efforts.

In 2009, Texas adopted new legislation removing the requirement that TxDOT’s executive director must be a professional engineer.  Mr. Wilson will be the first non-engineer to hold the position since the new law passed.

I am honored to be selected as the next executive director of TxDOT.  This is an agency with a rich history in successfully building for our future with dedicated employees, said Wilson. I look forward to working with the agency, Commission, Legislature and local communities on the most efficient ways to build infrastructure for Texas.