Governor Mike DeWine just announced a big shake-up coming to the Ohio Department of Transportation. The current ODOT director, Jack Marchbanks, will step down at the end of September. Marchbanks, who has held the position since the early days of DeWine's tenure, will hand over the reins to Pamela Vest Boratyn starting October 1.
Marchbanks' decision to exit stage left opens the door for Boratyn, an ODOT veteran with over three decades of experience in the field. However, before she can take office, the Ohio Senate needs to give her the green light. "I want to thank Director Marchbanks for his leadership of ODOT since the beginning of my first term as governor," said Governor DeWine in a statement obtained by the Ohio Governor's official website. He added, "Jack has shared my vision for increasing safety on Ohio’s roads and ensuring that our transportation system works efficiently to serve our residents, businesses, and visitors."
Marchbanks, beyond directing the state's transportation policies and investments, has been a proponent of the performing arts and African American culture. "I take pride in what the ODOT team accomplished for the citizens of Ohio on my watch," Marchbanks told the Ohio Governor's official website. His post-ODOT life will see a return to academia and a continued dedication to his cultural passions.
Boratyn isn’t a new face at ODOT. She has held various roles, including Assistant Director and Chief of Staff. She also spent eight years as General Counsel for then-attorney General, now Governor DeWine, overseeing the Transportation Section. Her current role as Deputy Executive Director of the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund seems to have been a last pit stop before taking over at ODOT. With a clear mission to ensure Ohio's transportation network is safe and modern, ODOT's steering wheel is about to be in new hands.
