After his last nominee withdrew amid vociferous criticism about ties to scandals, Gov. Gary Herbert named a new nominee Friday to become chairman of the Utah Transportation Commission.
He elevated Naghi Zeenati, a St. George real-estate professional who has served on the commission since 2013, to the chairmanship. Zeenati immediately led a meeting of the commission on Friday.
Because he is already a member of the commission, his elevation does not require confirmation by the state Senate, said John Gleason, spokesman for the Utah Department of Transportation.
Last year, Herbert nominated as both a new commissioner and as its chairman Larry Ellertson, the former chairman of both the Utah Transit Authority (which had scandals over high executive pay, extensive international travel and favors for developers) and the Utah County Commission.
After a contentious hearing with complaints by residents about his ties to UTA scandals, a legislative committee approved Ellertson by a slim 3-2 vote. But some supporters warned they might reverse their votes in the full Senate because of concerns raised.
“If you want scandals, he’s your guy,” Mark Allen, founder of Protect and Preserve American Fork Canyon, said at the confirmation hearing.
Two weeks later, Ellertson withdrew his nomination. A news release at the time said that was because his “retirement plans with his wife will make it difficult for him to fulfill the six-year commission term.”
That occurred almost exactly a year ago, and former Chairman J. Kent Millington extended his service awaiting a replacement. Former Orem Mayor James T. Evans was recently nominated and confirmed to replace Millington as a commissioner, and Zeenati is now appointed to replace him as chairman.
The commission prioritizes funding for statewide transportation projects and decides how to allocate transportation funds provided by the Legislature.
Zeenati represents a district on the commission that includes Beaver, Carbon, Emery, Garfield, Grand, Iron, Kane, Millard, Piute, San Juan, Sanpete, Sevier, Washington and Wayne counties.
A press release said Zeenati has been involved in a wide variety of community activities in southern Utah, including serving as president of the local Kiwanis Club, chairing volunteers for the Huntsman World Senior Games and as a board member of the Children’s Justice Center.
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