DMV director nominated to lead DelDOT

Jennifer Cohan has been nominated to replace Shailen Bhatt as Delaware’s next transportation secretary.

Just hours after announcing Bhatt’s departure for a similar post in Colorado, Gov. Jack Markell nominated Jennifer Cohan as his replacement. Cohan has been the director of the Delaware DMV since 2007.

“She has worked her way up through the ranks of state government, starting as a casual/seasonal front-line worker to Director of DMV,” said Markell in a statement announcing his nomination. He said that bottom to top experience in DelDOT makes her an ideal candidate for the next leader of DelDOT.

During her 25 years as a state employee, she’s also worked in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control managing the state’s Clean Water Program. She has also worked in the state legislature within the Office of the Controller General.

“I am deeply honored to be nominated by Governor Markell to lead DelDOT,” said Cohan. “If confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to building on the incredible progress we’ve made to improve the state’s transportation network while strengthening the public’s trust.”

Earlier Monday, Markell announced Sec. Bhatt would be leaving the post he’s held since July 2011. Bhatt accepted the nomination of Col. Governor John Hickenlooper to be the executive director of the Colorado Department of Transportation.