Governor nominates former DOT board chairman as secretary of transportation

Gov. Mark Sanford nominated Buck Limehouse Monday as the secretary of transportation, a new at-will position created by the Legislature as part of a package aimed at reforming the state Department of Transportation.

Limehouse, 68, is a former chairman of the DOT board and is serving as director of the agency. He was named to replace former executive director Elizabeth Mabry, who retired in December. Tony Chapman, state highway engineer, had also been tapped to run the agency as interim executive director prior to Limehouse.

"First off, I want to thank Buck for being willing to continue his service to the state as this agency transitions to a more accountable structure," Sanford said in a statement. "Whether it's been his time as chairman or in his current role as director, I think Buck brings a unique skill set and perspective to this job as we sort out what works and what doesn't under this new management model. This appointment will give us through the next legislative session to not only see what works and doesn't work within the agency, but to clearly determine whether or not Buck is the right fit with this administration to bring those changes. Our administration will work closely with the DOT and with Buck to make that agency more accountable and a better steward of taxpayer dollars."

The nomination is pending Senate confirmation.