State transportation board set

The new members of the state Transportation Board are entrepreneur Paul Morabito of Reno, businessman Frank Martin of Las Vegas and Humboldt County Commissioner Tom Fransway of Winnemucca.

They and Gibbons, Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, Controller Kim Wallin and Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto comprise the seven-member board.

“Nevada faces tremendous transportation challenges in the years to come as we build highways to keep pace with our state’s growth,” Gibbons said in remarks accompanying the announcement. “These people will provide innovative ideas to meet those challenges.”

Gibbons said Morabito has experience ranging from being the chief executive officer of the largest petroleum company in Nevada to being chairman of one of the largest environmental preservation agencies in America.

“His unique perspective will help us protect the environment that we are entrusted to safeguard while building roadways with the efficiency of a business,” Gibbons said.

Martin also brings the entrepreneurial perspective of efficiency and customer service to state government, and he has built a successful construction business on the principle of “telling it like it is,” Gibbons said.

Fransway is a consensus builder who has experience bridging the gap between government and private enterprise, an important skill as the state explores public-private partnerships on transportation projects, Gibbons said.

“These men all care a great deal about their communities and about Nevada,” he said. “I know they will join me and the other board members in giving NDOT clear direction.”

State law requires the citizen members to come from the three regions of the state.

Morabito was chairman and CEO of Berry-Hinckley Industries, then Nevada’s largest transportation fuel supplier. He has served on the California High Speed Rail Authority governing board. He also served as senior policy adviser to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and as chairman of the California State Coastal Conservancy.

Martin is president and CEO of Martin-Harris Construction of Las Vegas, general contractors specializing in industrial, commercial, public works and school construction. His company has completed transportation projects in the Las Vegas Valley, and Martin has served on local task forces studying water and transportation issues.

A lifelong Nevadan, Fransway is serving his fourth term as a Humboldt County commissioner. After a 30-year career with Nevada Bell, he owns and operates West Wind, LLC., which leases and manages commercial properties in Winnemucca. He chairs the Regional Transportation Commission of Humboldt County and has worked with the Nevada Department of Transportation on road projects involving both the state and the county.

The three current citizen members whose terms expire today are the Rev. Caesar Caviglia, formerly of Henderson, Tom Gust of Elko and Jim Thornton of Reno.