Governor Nominates New Transportation Secretary

Dover -- Governor Jack Markell has announced he is nominating U.S. Department of Transportation official Shailen Bhatt (pronounced "SHAY-linn BAT") to become Delaware's next Secretary of the Department of Transportation.

Bhatt has experience working on local, state and federal transportation issues and is currently serving as Associate Administrator at the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in Washington, DC. For the last two years, he has been responsible for setting policy and managing relationships with members of Congress and has been leading FHWA's efforts in reauthorizing the nation's surface transportation legislation.

"Shailen offers energy, experience and leadership," said Governor Markell. "Transportation plays a critical role in the daily lives of Delawareans. We face significant challenges in transportation. It was important for us to find someone with strong leadership skills ready to take on those challenges. Shailen offers us local, state and federal level experience. The job demands someone of his caliber."

"I appreciate the confidence Governor Markell has placed in me by nominating me for this important position," said Mr. Bhatt. "The challenges facing the Delaware Department of Transportation are real, but so too are the opportunities. If I have the honor to be confirmed by the Senate, I will work tirelessly on behalf of the people of Delaware. We will work to help DelDOT reach its full potential. I look forward to meeting Delaware Senators in the days ahead and, if confirmed by the Senate, to spending time with other elected officials, DelDOT employees, civic and business leaders and the transportation community and doing a lot of listening."

The Federal Highway Administration is an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation. Through the Federal Aid Highway Program, the FHWA supports State and local governments in the design, construction, and maintenance of the nation's highway system. Bhatt played a key role in establishing the Federal Highway Administration's signature initiative on accelerated project delivery, called Every Day Counts (EDC).

Before joining FHWA, Bhatt served as a Deputy Executive Director with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) where he was responsible for advancing transportation projects and addressing regional transportation needs. During his time at KYTC, he helped oversee a record construction letting period for the state. Prior to that, he was Director of the Bowling Green/Warren County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Bhatt is on the advisory committee of the State Smart Transportation Initiative (SSTI) and formerly served as a board member for Preservation Kentucky and the Bowling Green/Warren County Regional Airport. Bhatt currently resides in Washington, D.C. with his wife, Neelam.