Cox elected vice president of national transportation organization

October 24, 2013

WYDOT Director John Cox is the new vice president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

He was elected by the association’s board of directors at the organization’s annual meeting Monday in Denver. AASHTO represents highway and transportation departments in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. It serves as a liaison between state departments and the federal government, and sets technical standards for all phases of highway system development, including design and construction of highways and bridges.

Traditionally the AASHTO vice president succeeds the president at the end of their one-year terms.

Cox recently completed a term as president of the 18-state Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, one of the four regional associations that make up AASHTO.

“I’m genuinely excited about this opportunity to serve with and learn from AASHTO President Mike Hancock,” Cox said. “With the current federal transportation funding bill expiring in less than a year, work is already under way toward reauthorizing that funding. I look forward to having a voice in the conversation about continued support for the nation’s transportation system.”

Hancock, secretary of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, served as AASHTO’s vice president for the past year before being elected president.

Cox has served as WYDOT director since January 2005, when he was appointed by Gov. Dave Freudenthal. He was reappointed in February 2011 by Gov. Matt Mead.

As WYDOT director, he is responsible for Wyoming's largest state agency with more than 2,000 employees based in 60 locations.

Cox joined WYDOT following a distinguished 28-year career in law enforcement. He served as administrator of the Wyoming Highway Patrol for seven years before becoming WYDOT director.