As Ray LaHood leaves his position as Secretary of Transportation, Anthony Foxx has now officially been unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as his successor. Fox, who has been the mayor of Charlotte, NC since 2009, is still a newcomer to political office. At 38 years old, he was the youngest mayor that Charlotte has ever had.
Though a Democrat, Foxx has already stated that he will strive to work across party lines, saying “There is no such thing as a Democratic or Republican road, bridge, port, air field or rail system.”
Foxx is no stranger to transportation or the challenges that he will be facing. When he was nominated, President Obama praised his leadership of one of the largest transportation projects in Charlotte history.
Not only was his confirmation by the Senate unanimous, but the his reception from the trucking industry as a whole seems to be unanimously positive, or at the very least optimistic. Edward Wytking, president of the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department was quoted as saying “Secretary Foxx is a skilled and respected leader who understands that America’s economy cannot thrive without a world-class transportation system and workforce… We look forward to working closely with Secretary Foxx in pursuit of common sense transportation policies.”
Bill Graves, the president and CEO of the ATA extended his congratulations as well saying, “I’d like to offer my heartiest congratulations to Secretary-to-be Foxx on his confirmation.” He went on to say that “the challenges of being mayor of a large city like Charlotte are not all that different from those of being a governor, so I’m confident he will be up to the test of providing this country with the first-rate, world-class transportation system our industry and our economy demand.”
As Anthony Foxx enters his new position, he will have many large problems to face with many voices that are screaming to be heard. Here’s hoping that the head-strong, pragmatic mayor can keep his wits about him in his new roles. Our industry needs it.
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Source: fleetowner, latimes
Best of luck to him. We’re facing serious problems with our infrastructure and industry so he sure has his work cut out
Let’s get real here, this is just a stepping stone appointment to a man with no knowledge of the department he is heading. He’ll noodle around here waiting for another political payback appointment with more clout and prestige and he’ll pounce on that appointment as well. Just like all his predecessors.
The more intelligent appointment, I would think is from someone in this department, He was what before this appointment …… a Mayor of Charlotte NC there’s a great background to head this department…. yeah right!!
While I agree with you to a point, at the same time he was a mayor of a major metropolitan city who I’m sure had to deal with the decisions concerning his own city’s dot problems everyday. And maybe he will fix some things. I thought even Ooida didn’t think this was a bad appointment.
Another political appointment . Why can ‘t they ever nominate someone with strong trucking, dot background. ?
All the back patting on this guy is great, lets see what happens with him AFTER obumma gets hold of him