Cox, Trombino to assume high-ranking AASHTO positions

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' (AASHTO) board has elected Wyoming Department of Transportation Director John Cox as president and Iowa Department of Transportation Director Paul Trombino III, as vice president.

Cox was appointed director of the Wyoming Department of Transportation in January 2005 and was reappointed in 2011. He recently completed terms as AASHTO's vice president and president of the 18-state Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. A 28-year law enforcement veteran, Cox was the commanding officer of the Wyoming Highway Patrol from 1998 to 2005.

"I am honored to accept this important leadership role at a time when AASHTO is celebrating its centennial year," said Cox in a press release. "AASHTO has been there from the beginning, providing leadership to build the national transportation system we rely on today."

As president, Cox believes his primary emphasis will be to advance a multi-year surface transportation reauthorization that closely reflects AASHTO’s policy objectives. He also plans to explore the need to identify and advance reasonable opportunities to enhance state decision-making authority and limit federal regulation.

"As we enter our second century, AASHTO’s work is far from over. The nation's aging transportation systems need to be maintained and modernized, and that’s going to require greater investment," said Cox.

Trombino was appointed director of the Iowa Department of Transportation in May 2011. He previously served the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for 17 years, including a stint as the director of the Bureau of Transit, Local Roads, Rails and Harbors. Trombino also spent four years in the finance and banking industry in Chicago and Washington, D.C.

AASHTO is a nonprofit organization that represents the interests of departments of transportation in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.