Florida Gov. Scott tabs Boxold as next FDOT secretary

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has appointed Jim Boxold to succeed Ananth Prasad as the state's transportation secretary, effective Jan. 3.

Boxold has served as Prasad's chief of staff and director of legislative affairs since 2013. Prasad announced Dec. 2 that he will step down Jan. 2 from the post, which he's held since April 2011.

Prior to joining the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Boxold served as director of cabinet affairs for the Florida commissioner of agriculture for 10 years, and as deputy director of cabinet affairs for Gov. Jeb Bush for a year. Additionally, Boxold was legislative affairs director for former U.S. Rep. Porter Goss (R-Fla.).

Boxold's experience will help the state address its transportation and economic goals, Scott said in a press release.

"This year we made an historic investment of over $10 billion for transportation and FDOT’s five-year plan will invest nearly $41 billion into our state's transportation system, thanks to the leadership of Secretary Prasad and Jim," said Scott. "We have also focused on making Florida’s ports a world leader in trade, a goal that we will continue to pursue."