The Virginian Pilot just reported that Governor-elect Kaine will retain Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer:
Homer was hired by Gov. Mark R. Warner in 2002 to be deputy secretary of transportation. He was promoted to secretary last year when his boss, Whittington Clement, accepted a job at a Richmond law firm.Kaine had promised to seek a transportation secretary with expertise in land use planning as well as road-building. Homer has been heavily involved in both areas not only in his current job but also as deputy county executive for Prince William County, one of the state?s fastest-growing localities. Homer served in that position from 1987 to 2002.
...Homer?s genial personality and nonpartisan background has earned him the respect of Republican and Democratic lawmakers. He has worked closely with legislators on several projects, including revisions to laws that encourage businesses to participate in public-private partnerships on road projects.
Along with his predecessor, Homer also managed to reverse the negative on time/on budget project delivery rate established under the Gilmore administration. This past year, deliveries came in so efficiently that the State of Virginia won a premium award from the federal government of transportation funds forfeited by states with bad delivery records.
The Virginian Pilot indicates that the announcement will be made tommorrow.
Update 1/5/06: In addition to announcing Homer's appointment, Kaine announced the appointment of Scott Kasprowicz, 53, a Northern Virginia businessman and the reappointment of Ralph M. Davis, 53 as deputy secretaries of transportation.