The South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission recently appointed Justin P. Powell to serve as the next secretary of transportation.
The commission will submit the appointment to the South Carolina Senate for confirmation. If appointed, Powell will replace Christy A. Hall who is retiring.
Powell is the current South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) chief operating officer. In that role, he manages the agency’s day-to-day operations including maintenance of the state highway system and a $5 billion construction program.
“Mr. Powell has held management positions in government agencies for nearly two decades and has held five years of progressively more complex leadership roles here at SCDOT,” Max Metcalf, commission vice-chairman, said. “As an executive, he has proven himself as an expert leader with a sharp eye for finance and a keen mind for business.”
Powell joined SCDOT in 2019 as deputy secretary for finance and administration. In 2022, he was promoted to chief of staff to the secretary of transportation.
Prior to joining SCDOT, Powell was Horry County assistant county administrator. In that capacity, he supported the county’s response to disasters and the subsequent resiliency efforts, provided financial leadership to a $500 million roads sales tax program, and managed a project aimed at restoring freight rail service to a three-county region. He also has experience working with other local government agencies.