Governor M. Jodi Rell has announced that Department of Transportation Commissioner Ralph J. Carpenter is retiring after nearly 30 years of state service. The Governor has asked former Commissioner Emil H. Frankel to return to that role on an interim basis while a national search is conducted for a new commissioner.
“Ralph has very ably begun the dramatic reform process that I have instituted at DOT,” Rell said. “Our national search for a new Commissioner will be focused on finding the right person to continue these changes and spur the agency to new success.”
“As grateful as I am for Ralph’s loyal and steadfast service, I must also thank Commissioner Frankel for stepping back into the role during this transition period,” the Governor added. “As Commissioner from 1991 to 1995, and later as Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy to President Bush, he has already served our state and our nation with distinction. DOT will be in very good hands indeed.”
Rell has formed a Commission on Reform of the DOT, part of sweeping changes ordered at the agency over the past year. While that panel – chaired by Michael Critelli, Chairman and CEO of Stamford-based Pitney-Bowes – is continuing its work, DOT has already made numerous policy and program improvements.
Among the changes: Reorganizing and consolidating the fiscal and administrative functions of the Department into a new Bureau of Administrative and Financial Services; new policies governing the employment of agency employee family members on transportation projects; new oversight and inspection procedures for highway construction projects; new procedures including an 800 number and an internal web link, to allow DOT employees to inform the Commissioner of internal issues such as possible corruption, waste or abuse; and moving the Department back to a two-year cycle of inspecting all bridges in Connecticut.
Next week, the Commission on Reform of the DOT will release its final report and recommendations, establishing the blueprint for future changes at the agency.
“I charged the Commission on Reform of the DOT with creating a ‘whole new DOT’ with a refocused mission and a top-to-bottom change at the agency,” Governor Rell said. “The national search for a new commissioner and the release of the Commission’s report next week is an opportunity for a fresh start all the way around.”
