BISMARCK, N.D. (July 7, 2017) – Gov. Doug Burgum
announced Friday he has appointed Thomas Sorel, a former Minnesota Department
of Transportation commissioner with extensive experience in both the public and
private sectors, to lead the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) starting
Aug. 7.
Sorel is currently the chief operating officer of the
Minnesota Trucking Association. He previously ran his own transportation
consulting firm in Woodbury, Minn., and served as vice president of surface
transportation for Serco North America, working on intelligent transportation
systems and other areas.
“Tom Sorel has the leadership skills, strategic planning
experience and innovative problem-solving skills we need to excel in a 21st-century
transportation environment that is undergoing rapid change, from autonomous
vehicle testing to the proliferation of ridesharing services,” Burgum said.
“His leadership will ensure the North Dakota Department of Transportation
continues to deliver safe, modern services and smart, efficient infrastructure
as part of a multi-modal network that supports driving, public transit, biking
and walking.”
Sorel earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering
from the State University of New York in Buffalo and holds a master’s in
business administration from Thomas College in Waterville, Maine. Previously,
he was vice president of the Twin Cities operations of North Dakota-based
engineering firm KLJ and president and CEO of AAA Minneapolis.
“I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity Gov. Burgum has
given me to serve the citizens of North Dakota,” Sorel said. “I’m excited to
apply my experience in the public and private sectors, taking advantage of best
practices and current and emerging technologies to provide the most robust and
most reliable multi-modal transportation system possible.”
Sorel succeeds former NDDOT Director Grant Levi, who
retired in May after more than 37 years with the department. Ron Henke, who has
served as interim NDDOT director since May, will return to his role as deputy
director for engineering. The governor is grateful to both for their leadership
and service.
The NDDOT has more than 1,000 employees, a two-year
budget of $1.2 billion and a $465 million construction program for this season.
