Sean Connaughton
Encyclopedia
Sean T. Connaughton is the current Secretary of Transportation for the Commonwealth of Virginia. He served as the Maritime Administrator, the head of the U.S. Maritime Administration
, an agency of the United States Department of Transportation
, from 2006 until early 2009. Connaughton served as Chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors
from January 1, 2000 until his appointment as Maritime Administrator. He is also a lawyer, unsuccessful 2005 Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
, former United States Coast Guard
officer, and a retired officer of the United States Naval Reserve. He was confirmed as Maritime Administrator by the Senate
on August 3, 2006.
President George W. Bush
nominated Connaughton to serve as Commissioner of the Federal Maritime Commission
. Congress did not take up the nomination. He left federal service to work as the Corporate Vice President of Government Affairs for the American Bureau of Shipping
. Connaughton became the Secretary of Transportation in the Cabinet
of Governor Bob McDonnell
in January 2010.
. He received a B.Sc. from the United States Merchant Marine Academy
in 1983 and a law degree from George Mason University
in 1992. Connaughton also has a Masters in Public Administration from Georgetown University
and is a graduate of the Naval War College
.
, remaining on Active Duty until 1986 when he joined the United States Naval Reserve. He continued to serve in the Coast Guard as an Assistant Branch Chief in the marine safety area. Connaughton entered private legal practice in 1992. His legal career is highlighted by his service as Co-counsel on the case Intertanko v. Locke, winning a unanimous decision before the United States Supreme Court
in November 1999, defeating the incumbent, Kathleen K. Seefeldt
. He was re-elected to a second four-year term, beginning January 1, 2004. He resigned that position on September 6, 2006.
The Washington Post characterized Connaghton as a "pragmatist" during his tenure.http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/1097224221.html?dids=1097224221:1097224221&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+19,+2006&author=&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=A+Centrist's+Legacy;+Sean+Connaughton,+pragmatist&pqatl=google Connaughton capped the growth of all real estate taxes at 5.9%, despite double-digit growth in real estate value and the jurisdiction achieved a AAA Bond Rating. He also successfully campaigned to bring AOL, General Dynamics, Comcast, Eli Lilly and other major employers to Prince William.
Connaughton received several awards and recognitions for his service as Administrator, including: Vincent T. Hirsh Maritime Award for Outstanding Leadership by the Navy League of the United States
(2009), "Maritime Person of the Year” by the Propeller Club of the United States (2007), "Maritime Samaritan Award” from the Apostleship of the Sea of the United States (2009) and "Government Man of the Year” by the Maritime Port Council of Greater New York (2007). Additionally, the Journal of Commerce named him to its 2008 "JOC Leadership Roll". Connaughton's service was also recognized by the Massachusetts Maritime Academy
in 2007 through the awarding of an Honorary Doctorate in Public Administration.
announced Sean Connaughton as his appointment to Secretary of Transportation for the Commonwealth of Virginia. He was sworn into office on January 16, 2010.
U.S. Maritime Administration
The United States Maritime Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Transportation that maintains the National Defense Reserve Fleet as a ready source of ships for use during national emergencies, and assists the NDRF in fulfilling its role as the nation's fourth arm of...
, an agency of the United States Department of Transportation
United States Department of Transportation
The United States Department of Transportation is a federal Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with transportation. It was established by an act of Congress on October 15, 1966, and began operation on April 1, 1967...
, from 2006 until early 2009. Connaughton served as Chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors
Prince William Board of County Supervisors
Prince William County, Virginia is divided into seven magisterial districts: Brentsville, Coles, Gainesville, Neabsco, Occoquan, Potomac, and Woodbridge. The magisterial districts each elect one supervisor to the Board of Supervisors which governs Prince William County...
from January 1, 2000 until his appointment as Maritime Administrator. He is also a lawyer, unsuccessful 2005 Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
The Lieutenant Governor is a constitutional officer of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Lieutenant Governor is elected every four years along with the Governor and Attorney General. The office is currently held by Republican William T. Bolling. The governor and lieutenant governor are elected...
, former United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
officer, and a retired officer of the United States Naval Reserve. He was confirmed as Maritime Administrator by the Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on August 3, 2006.
President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
nominated Connaughton to serve as Commissioner of the Federal Maritime Commission
Federal Maritime Commission
The United States Federal Maritime Commission is an independent federal agency, based in Washington D.C., responsible for the regulation of oceanborne transportation in the foreign commerce of the U.S.-Mission:The FMC:...
. Congress did not take up the nomination. He left federal service to work as the Corporate Vice President of Government Affairs for the American Bureau of Shipping
American Bureau of Shipping
The American Bureau of Shipping is a classification society, with a mission to promote the security of life, property and the natural environment, primarily through the development and verification of standards for the design, construction and operational maintenance of marine-related facilities...
. Connaughton became the Secretary of Transportation in the Cabinet
Virginia Governor's Cabinet
The Cabinet of the Governor of Virginia is a body of the most senior appointed officers of the executive branch of the government of Virginia. The Cabinet is responsible for advising the Governor of Virginia. Cabinet officers are nominated by the Governorand then presented to the Virginia General...
of Governor Bob McDonnell
Bob McDonnell
Robert Francis "Bob" McDonnell is an American politician who has been the 71st Governor of Virginia since January 2010. A former lieutenant colonel in the United States Army, McDonnell served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1993 to 2006 and served as Attorney General of Virginia from 2006...
in January 2010.
Education
Connaughton is a 1979 graduate of Chaminade High SchoolChaminade High School
Chaminade High School is a Roman Catholic college preparatory high school for young men. Located in Mineola, New York, the school was founded in 1930 by the Society of Mary , an international Roman Catholic teaching order of priests and religious Brothers. The school is named for Father William...
. He received a B.Sc. from the United States Merchant Marine Academy
United States Merchant Marine Academy
The United States Merchant Marine Academy is one of the five United States Service academies...
in 1983 and a law degree from George Mason University
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
in 1992. Connaughton also has a Masters in Public Administration from Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
and is a graduate of the Naval War College
Naval War College
The Naval War College is an education and research institution of the United States Navy that specializes in developing ideas for naval warfare and passing them along to officers of the Navy. The college is located on the grounds of Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island...
.
Early career
Immediately upon graduation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Connaughton accepted a Commission as an Officer in the United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
, remaining on Active Duty until 1986 when he joined the United States Naval Reserve. He continued to serve in the Coast Guard as an Assistant Branch Chief in the marine safety area. Connaughton entered private legal practice in 1992. His legal career is highlighted by his service as Co-counsel on the case Intertanko v. Locke, winning a unanimous decision before the United States Supreme Court
Chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors
Connaughton was elected Chairman of the Prince William Board of County SupervisorsPrince William Board of County Supervisors
Prince William County, Virginia is divided into seven magisterial districts: Brentsville, Coles, Gainesville, Neabsco, Occoquan, Potomac, and Woodbridge. The magisterial districts each elect one supervisor to the Board of Supervisors which governs Prince William County...
in November 1999, defeating the incumbent, Kathleen K. Seefeldt
Kathleen Seefeldt
Kathleen Kenna Seefeldt is an American politician who served as Chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors from 1992-1999. She is a Democrat.-Personal:...
. He was re-elected to a second four-year term, beginning January 1, 2004. He resigned that position on September 6, 2006.
The Washington Post characterized Connaghton as a "pragmatist" during his tenure.http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/1097224221.html?dids=1097224221:1097224221&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+19,+2006&author=&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=A+Centrist's+Legacy;+Sean+Connaughton,+pragmatist&pqatl=google Connaughton capped the growth of all real estate taxes at 5.9%, despite double-digit growth in real estate value and the jurisdiction achieved a AAA Bond Rating. He also successfully campaigned to bring AOL, General Dynamics, Comcast, Eli Lilly and other major employers to Prince William.
Maritime Administration
In September 2006, Connaughton assumed the helm of the Maritime Administration. He focused on laying the foundation for a marine highways system, greater opportunities for American mariners, and a reorganization of the agency to make it more effective are significant steps he’s taken during his watch.http://www.joc.com/node/354847 During his tenure Connaughton was consistently cited as one of the best Federal transportation policy leaders by Members of Congress, industry and the media.Connaughton received several awards and recognitions for his service as Administrator, including: Vincent T. Hirsh Maritime Award for Outstanding Leadership by the Navy League of the United States
Navy League of the United States
The Navy League of the United States, commonly referred to as The Navy League, is a national association made up of former members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, the United States Coast Guard and the United States Merchant Marine, and civilians interested in supporting the...
(2009), "Maritime Person of the Year” by the Propeller Club of the United States (2007), "Maritime Samaritan Award” from the Apostleship of the Sea of the United States (2009) and "Government Man of the Year” by the Maritime Port Council of Greater New York (2007). Additionally, the Journal of Commerce named him to its 2008 "JOC Leadership Roll". Connaughton's service was also recognized by the Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a regionally accredited, coeducational, state college offering undergraduate degrees in maritime-related fields, as well as graduate degrees and professional studies. Established in 1891, Mass Maritime is the second oldest state maritime academy in the country...
in 2007 through the awarding of an Honorary Doctorate in Public Administration.
Virginia Secretary of Transportation
On December 22, 2009 Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnellBob McDonnell
Robert Francis "Bob" McDonnell is an American politician who has been the 71st Governor of Virginia since January 2010. A former lieutenant colonel in the United States Army, McDonnell served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1993 to 2006 and served as Attorney General of Virginia from 2006...
announced Sean Connaughton as his appointment to Secretary of Transportation for the Commonwealth of Virginia. He was sworn into office on January 16, 2010.