Florida DOT Secretary Boxold to step down

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Jim Boxold has resigned from the department as of Feb. 3 to accept a new job. He will be succeeded by Rachel Cone, who will serve as interim secretary starting Feb. 4, Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced yesterday.

Boxold has been FDOT secretary since 2015. He is leaving the post to become a lobbyist for Capital City Consulting, according to a report in the The Miami Herald.

Boxold's leadership at FDOT helped ensure the state has "a world-class transportation system that supports continued economic growth and job creation," Scott said in a press release.

Cone now serves as FDOT's assistant secretary for Finance and Administration since 2015. Prior to that role, she was Scott's deputy chief of staff from 2012 to 2014. She also served a stint as communications director at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection from 2011 to 2012.

"I am confident [Cone] will continue to do great work and build upon the successes of FDOT by ensuring we have the best transportation infrastructure for our residents, businesses and visitors," Scott said.