Gov. Terry Branstad today announced that Paul Trombino III will serve as the director of the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT). Trombino will replace Nancy Richardson, who officially retires on Thursday.
 
Trombino is currently the bureau director of transit, local roads, rails and harbors for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, where he administers planning, program funding and projects throughout the state.

“Paul’s energy, passion for the job and diverse experience within all facets of transportation will serve him well as he leads the Iowa Department of Transportation,” Branstad said in a press release.

As director, Trombino will oversee more than 3,000 employees in the department, which oversees the use of more than 9,000 miles of roads and 4,000 bridges in the state. The IDOT also manages the state’s aviation, rail and public transit systems and oversees planning for future transportation needs.

Trombino previously served as the region operations director of the Wisconsin DOT until 2011 when he took his current position as a bureau director. As region operations director, Trombino managed more than 1,100 state employees and a more than $1 billion highway construction program. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He and his wife, Trish, have two children, Enzo and Mila.

Trombino’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the Iowa Senate. His first day is scheduled to be May 9.