Portland – Gov.-elect Janet Mills says she will nominate Bruce Van Note to serve as the next Commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT).

Van Note, currently the Director of Policy and Planning at the Maine Turnpike Authority, has 25 years of professional transportation work experience in Maine, including 12 years as deputy commissioner at MaineDOT, where he managed the department.

“Bruce’s experience and skills make him well-qualified to lead the Maine Department of Transportation,” said Mills. “As a member of the Legislature and as Attorney General, I became familiar with his depth of knowledge, policy acumen, and reputation for honesty – all of which will serve the people of Maine well. I look forward to working with Bruce to craft policy initiatives to improve and enhance our state’s transportation system and to better position Maine to thrive into the future.”

Van Note, 58, is a member of the planning board in Topsham, where he lives with his wife, Susan. They have four adult sons.

In 2017, he was awarded the Spirit of America Award for outstanding community volunteerism by the Sagadahoc County Commissioners.

Van Note, an engineering graduate, attorney and professional land surveyor, was born in Houlton and grew up in Bath. He earned a B.S. in Surveying Engineering with highest distinction honors from the University of Maine in Orono, and a J.D. with honors from the University of Maine School of Law in Portland.

Van Note previously owned and operated a small surveying and land use consulting firm in the Brunswick area; had a part-time solo legal practice specializing in alternative dispute resolution, land use, and real estate; and was an associate attorney focused in real estate at an Auburn law firm.

“I am honored and humbled that Governor-elect Mills has selected me to lead the dedicated people at Maine Department of Transportation,” said Van Note. “Safe, reliable, and easy travel is part of what makes us Maine and what makes a real difference in people’s lives every day – whether it’s a safe and predictable trip to work, a vibrant downtown that works for everyone, an efficient delivery of goods, or a trip to one of the hundreds of special spots across the state. I look forward to working with Governor-elect Mills, members of the Legislature, MaineDOT staff, and industry and municipal leaders to improve our transportation system and take it to the next level.”

Van Note currently serves as the director of policy and planning for the Maine Turnpike Authority, a position he has held since 2014.

From 2002 to 2014, Van Note served as Deputy Commissioner of MaineDOT where he participated in the envisioning, drafting, and passage of almost every major piece of state transportation legislation, including Highway Fund budgets, general obligation bonds, multimodal funding, transportation debt policy, prioritization of state highways, local road assistance, design-build contracting, public-private partnerships, and the Turnpike reform bill.

If confirmed, as Commissioner Van Note will be responsible for a transportation system that includes 8,818 miles of state highway, 2,742 bridges, airports, seaports, railroads, transit buses, and ferries.  MaineDOT has annual expenditures that average $650 million per year and has almost 2,000 employees.

Van Note’s nomination is subject to the approval of the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation and the Maine State Senate.

Van Note is the latest in a series of cabinet announcements by Mills, including Jeanne Lambrew to lead DHHS, Kirsten Figueroa to lead DAFS and Judy Camuso of Freeport to lead the department of fish and wildlife.