RICHMOND, Va. — Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger today announced the appointment of Nick M. Donohue to serve as Virginia’s next Secretary of Transportation.
“To strengthen our economy long into the future, we need to make sure Virginia has efficient infrastructure that allows families to get to work and school, businesses to transport their goods, and travelers to see all that the Commonwealth has to offer,” said Spanberger. “Virginians deserve a visionary leader who understands the vital role that our transportation network plays in building a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Commonwealth. That’s why I’m excited to announce the appointment of Nick Donohue to serve as Virginia’s next Secretary of Transportation. His range of experience will ensure Virginia tackles our transit challenges, improves the reliability of our networks, and prepares for new opportunities ahead.”
“It is an honor to be nominated by Governor-elect Spanberger to serve as Virginia’s Secretary of Transportation. Transportation is ultimately about opportunity, connecting people to jobs, education, and the communities they call home. I am committed to ensuring every investment we make strengthens those connections,” said Donohue. “I am excited to advance the Governor-elect’s agenda to improve the everyday lives of Virginians.”
BIOGRAPHY
Nick M. Donohue, Secretary of Transportation
Nick M. Donohue, a Richmond native, has dedicated his career to strengthening Virginia’s transportation network and ensuring that public investments deliver real value for communities.
As the founder of Transportation and Infrastructure Strategies LLC, he has advised public and private sector clients on a broad range of transportation issues, with a focus on efficient use of taxpayer dollars, multimodal solutions, and transparency and accountability in decision-making.
Nick has served in senior leadership roles under three Virginia governors, shaping some of the Commonwealth’s most significant transportation policies and investments. As Deputy Secretary of Transportation, he worked with the General Assembly to pass one of the largest transportation packages in more than three decades, establish the Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Program, and secure the first dedicated capital funding for WMATA.
A champion of modernizing and expanding mobility options, Nick played a key role in the Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative, which dramatically increased both Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express service across the Commonwealth. He also led the development of SMART SCALE, Virginia’s nationally recognized project prioritization process, and helped strengthen the state’s approach to public-private partnerships. Nationally, he worked to ensure federal transportation policy better reflected the needs of local communities.
Nick looks forward to advancing Governor-elect Spanberger’s agenda to improve affordability, expand opportunity, and grow Virginia’s economy. Throughout his career, he has worked in a bipartisan manner to enhance the Commonwealth’s transportation system and its long-term competitiveness.
A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, Nick lives in Richmond with his wife and their three children.
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