Tom Warne Report, 10 October 2011
AUSTIN – THE Texas Transportation Commission selected Phil Wilson as the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) 19th executive director, effective October 17, 2011. Wilson currently serves as senior vice president of public affairs for Luminant, an electric generation company headquartered in Dallas, and previously served as Texas Secretary of State.
As Secretary of State, Wilson was responsible for elections and acted as the governor’s chief liaison on the Texas-Mexico border and issues with Mexico. He has also served as Chairman of the Governor’s Competitiveness Council, where Wilson helped identify ways the state could improve its economic position for continued long-term success. Wilson’s public service also includes time as an aide to U.S. Senator Phil Gramm and on the senior staff of Governor Rick Perry.
“Phil’s experience as a public servant and member of the Texas business community has prepared him well to lead the department as it continues to modernize,” said Ted Houghton, Texas Transportation commissioner and chair of the commission’s executive director search committee. “While TxDOT is certainly a national leader in transportation infrastructure development, there are opportunities for Phil to guide the department through this period of transition, emerging a more responsive and efficient organization.”
Wilson succeeds Amadeo Saenz, Jr., who retired from state service at the end of August. Wilson is the department’s first executive director since legislation was passed in 2009 removing the requirement that the position be occupied by a professional engineer.
