Robert A. Collier Jr. of Statesville, a retired judge and shopping mall developer appointed to the state Board of Transportation six years ago, was unanimously elected chairman of the 19-member board today.
Collier, 79, was a Superior Court judge for 20 years until 1988 and served for three sessions in the state House of Representatives. He represents DOT Division 12 – Iredell, Alexander, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties.
He succeeds Douglas Galyon of Greensboro, who had served on the board since 1993 and as its chairman since 2001. Galyon stepped down Thursday when Greensboro lawyer Michael Fox was sworn in to succeed him as board representative of Division 7, which includes Orange and four other counties.
The board sets transportation policy for the state, but Gov. Bev Perdue last year reduced its powers to award contracts and make other spending decisions.
Collier, a Democrat, was appointed to the board by Perdue’s predecessor, Mike Easley. State election records show that Collier contributed $6,150 to Perdue campaigns between 2000 and 2008, and $8,100 to Easley campaigns in 2000 and 2004.
Bruce Siceloff reports on traffic and transportation. A News & Observer reporter, editor and blogger since 1976, he took over the