Vice President of Administrative Affairs John D. Porcari, who was Maryland Transportation Secretary under former Gov. Parris Glendening, will return to the post under Gov.-elect Martin O’Malley.
Porcari was hired by the university in 2003, and oversaw a $1.3 billion budget and two major new projects: the M-Square Research Park project on Paint Branch Parkway and the forthcoming East Campus retail and housing development on Paint Branch and Route 1.
He was also the guiding force behind much of the cost containment measures put in place in the wake of steep budget cuts under Gov. Robert Ehrlich, and voiced strong support for a controversial road that would connect the Capital Beltway with Comcast Center.
O’Malley’s campaign said Tuesday that Porcari would be tapped to oversee state highways, tunnels, ports and airports. The Washington Post reported that Porcari would likely be expected to throw full support behind the Intercounty Connector as well as support the extension of Metro’s Green Line to BWI Airport.
While transportation secretary from 1999-2003, Porcari required all projects to meet the principles of Smart Growth and directed an expansion at Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport.
In a statement, O’Malley said Porcari was “one of the most competent public administrators in the nation.”
Pending state Senate confirmation, Porcari will replace current Secretary Robert Flanagan.
By the Associated Press
