Gov. Rick Scott is choosing Jim Boxold as the new Florida Department of Transportation secretary, replacing Ananth Prasad, who announced Dec. 2 he stepping down.
Boxold has served as FDOT chief of staff of the since July 2013.
“During Jim’s time as chief of staff of the Florida Department of Transportation,” Scott said in a statement, “we’ve accomplished a lot to meet the transportation needs of Florida families, visitors and businesses.”
Scott’s administration has invested over $10 billion for transportation this year, and projects the DOT five-year plan will invest nearly $41 billion in Florida’s transportation system, under the leadership of Prasad and Boxold.
“Jim will bring passion, energy and experience to our mission of making Florida the premier destination for jobs,” Scott added.
Boxold called the appointment “an absolute honor,” praising Scott’s leadership to make transportation a top priority for driving the state’s economic growth.
Prior to his time at the FDOT, Boxold served 10 years as director of Cabinet affairs for the commissioner of agriculture. Before that, he was deputy director of Cabinet affairs for Gov. Jeb Bush. He also served as legislative affairs director for U.S. Rep. Porter J. Goss from 1995-2001.
His appointment will be effective January 3.
