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IMMEDIATE Tamara Neale 804-786-6458 Tamara.Neale@VDOT.Virginia.gov |
CO-0554 Nov. 10, 2005 |
VDOT NAMES NEW CHIEF OF POLICY, PLANNING AND THE ENVIRONMENT
RICHMOND, Nov. 10, 2005 – Richard L. Walton, Jr., senior assistant attorney general with Virginia’s Office of the Attorney General, will serve as chief of policy, planning and the environment for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) beginning Dec. 12, 2005. Walton will come to VDOT after leading the transportation team in the attorney general’s office for nearly 20 years.
In his new role with VDOT, Walton will be responsible for managing the agency’s environmental program, long-range transportation planning, and legislative and regulatory affairs.
“I selected Rick for the job because of his extensive knowledge and experience in representing all facets of VDOT’s operations,” said Acting VDOT Commissioner Gregory A. Whirley. “Rick has provided excellent legal guidance and expertise for the agency. He’s a leader and he’s a doer, and that’s what you need to run a transportation business.”
In Walton’s current position as senior assistant attorney general, he is chief of the transportation section that represents VDOT and all other state transportation agencies and boards on legal matters. Walton has substantial experience with federal and state laws and regulations, many of which affect VDOT’s policy, planning and environmental areas. Walton has served in this position since 1986. Previously, he was special assistant attorney general in Fredericksburg and assigned to represent VDOT’s Fredericksburg District, beginning in 1978.
Walton’s work with the attorney general’s office received special honors: the Distinguished Service Award and the Meritorious Service Award.
He received his bachelor’s degree in government and foreign affairs from Hampden-Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, Va., and earned his law degree from the Vermont Law School in South Royalton, Vt.
Walton will replace Thomas A. Hawthorne who is serving as acting chief of policy, planning and the environment. Hawthorne will return to his position as district administrator for VDOT’s Richmond’s district.
In his new role with VDOT, Walton will be responsible for managing the agency’s environmental program, long-range transportation planning, and legislative and regulatory affairs.
“I selected Rick for the job because of his extensive knowledge and experience in representing all facets of VDOT’s operations,” said Acting VDOT Commissioner Gregory A. Whirley. “Rick has provided excellent legal guidance and expertise for the agency. He’s a leader and he’s a doer, and that’s what you need to run a transportation business.”
In Walton’s current position as senior assistant attorney general, he is chief of the transportation section that represents VDOT and all other state transportation agencies and boards on legal matters. Walton has substantial experience with federal and state laws and regulations, many of which affect VDOT’s policy, planning and environmental areas. Walton has served in this position since 1986. Previously, he was special assistant attorney general in Fredericksburg and assigned to represent VDOT’s Fredericksburg District, beginning in 1978.
Walton’s work with the attorney general’s office received special honors: the Distinguished Service Award and the Meritorious Service Award.
He received his bachelor’s degree in government and foreign affairs from Hampden-Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, Va., and earned his law degree from the Vermont Law School in South Royalton, Vt.
Walton will replace Thomas A. Hawthorne who is serving as acting chief of policy, planning and the environment. Hawthorne will return to his position as district administrator for VDOT’s Richmond’s district.
Page last modified: Nov. 10, 2005
