Houghton named new Texas Transportation Commission Chair
Texas Department of Transportation - Press Release
Statement by Texas Transportation Commission Chair Ted Houghton
AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- "I'd like to thank Governor Perry for his trust in me to continue TxDOT down a path of responsiveness, change and modernization. I look forward to leading the department as it becomes a better TxDOT, living up to the expectations of the Governor, the Legislature and our stakeholders.
"Texas is a national leader in infrastructure and transportation system development, and I intend to reaffirm our place among the best, strongest and most innovative states as TxDOT delivers the projects the Legislature, our local partners and Texas motorists expect."
Houghton was first appointed to the Texas Transportation Commission in 2003 by Governor Rick Perry, and was reappointed in 2009. A native of El Paso, Houghton is self-employed in the financial services industry. He is the first resident of El Paso to serve on the Commission.
Houghton previously served on the School Land Board, the El Paso Water Utilities Public Service Board, El Paso's Rapid Transit Board, the board of directors of the El Paso Electric Company and as president of the Sun Bowl Association. He was also a member of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Committee.
Ted is married to Hettie Cardon Houghton and they have five children -- Jennifer Houghton Lindsay, Cinco, John, Michael and Chris Houghton.
The Texas Department of Transportation The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, rail and public transportation across the state. TxDOT and its approximately 12,000 employees strive to empower local leaders to solve local transportation problems, and to use new financial tools, including tolling and public-private partnerships, to reduce congestion and pave the way for future economic growth while enhancing safety, improving air quality and preserving the value of the state's transportation assets.
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Link to article here.
Houghton appointed new Transportation Commission Chairman
by Gordon Dickson
Fort Worth Star Telegram
October 7, 2011
El Paso businessman named chairman of Texas Transportation Commission
Gov. Rick Perry has appointed El Paso businessman Ted Houghton chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission. The five-member body oversees the Texas Department of Transportation.
Houghton has served on the commission since 2003 and is a staunch advocate of hiring private developers to build and manage highways and toll roads. He believes that it helps transfer the financial risks of transportation projects away from taxpayers and makes up for a chronic lack of gas-tax-supported funds for road work.
"Texas is a national leader in infrastructure and transportation system development, and I intend to reaffirm our place among the best, strongest and most innovative states as TxDOT delivers the projects the Legislature, our local partners and Texas motorists expect," Houghton said in a statement.
Houghton replaces Deirdre Delisi of Austin, who resigned as chairwoman Thursday to dedicate more time to advising Perry's presidential campaign.
Houghton runs a financial services company and is the first El Pasoan to serve on the five-member commission.
He has previous experience on the School Land Board, El Paso Water Utilities Public Service Board, El Paso Rapid Transit Board, El Paso Electric Co. board and as president of the Sun Bowl Association.
Houghton was also on the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Committee.
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Link to article here.
Houghton new Chair of Transportation Commission
by Michael Lindenberger
Dallas Morning News
Friday, October 7, 2011
Update : TxDOT just sent a statement from Houghton, who says: "I'd like to thank Governor Perry for his trust in me to continue TxDOT down a path of responsiveness, change and modernization. I look forward to leading the department as it becomes a better TxDOT, living up to the expectations of the Governor, the Legislature and our stakeholders.
"Texas is a national leader in infrastructure and transportation system development, and I intend to reaffirm our place among the best, strongest and most innovative states as TxDOT delivers the projects the Legislature, our local partners and Texas motorists expect."
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The new chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission is Ted Houghton of El Paso, according to a press release issued moments ago by Gov. Rick Perry.
Houghton has been on the commission since the chairmanship of Ric Williamson and, since 2008, Deirdre Delisi. (Update: He was appointed in 2003.)
Delisi resigned yesterday.
Unlike Delisi, a former Perry chief of staff who now works for his presidential campaign, and the outspoken Williamson, who was one of Perry's best friends and a former Austin roommate, Houghton lacks the strong personal connection to the governor of his two predecessors.
But Houghton brings a passionate -- and articulate -- defense of the pro-business and pro-privatization approach Perry has long championed. Houghton has been one of the fiercest advocates for an untrammeled pursuit by TxDOT of partnerships with private firms to finance and operate Texas toll roads.
He has, however, matched that ferocity with a willingness to reach out to competitors and adversaries, including the North Texas Tollway Authority.
It was Houghton who took the lead in mending fences with then-chairman Paul Wageman of the NTTA and worked with Victor Vandergriff and others on the NTTA board to craft the deal that became the unprecedented loan guarantees that have made NTTA's financing of the SH 161 and Chisholm Trail Parkway possible.
Highlights from our coverage of Houghton on the blog:
* Houghton insists that TxDOT be given equity in future toll projects in which it helps NTTA finance the road.
* Wilson named executive director of TxDOT. Houghton led the search.
* TxDOT offers line of credit to NTTA
The press release announcing Houghton's appointment:
Gov. Perry Names Houghton Chair of Texas Transportation Commission
AUSTIN - Gov. Rick Perry has named Ted Houghton of El Paso chair of the Texas Transportation Commission for a term to expire at the pleasure of the governor. The commission oversees the Texas Department of Transportation.
Houghton is owner of Houghton Financial Partners. He is a member of the Paso del Norte Group, former vice chair of the El Paso Civic Center Board and a past member of the School Land Board, El Paso Water Utilities Public Service Board, and El Paso Electric Company Board of Directors. He is also past president of the Sun Bowl Association, and a member of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Committee.
Houghton received a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at El Paso.