St Louis attorney Kenneth Suelthaus appointed to Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission

MoDOT recently announced the appointment of a nw member of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission (MHTC).  MHTC is the citizens group that oversees MoDOT--by the Missouri Constitution, the only group with ultimate control over MoDOT and its (approx.) $2.5 billion annual budget.

Suelthaus is reputed to be an avid bicyclist--both on-road cycling and mountain biking.

According to MoDOT's press release:

St. Louis attorney Kenneth H. Suelthaus was sworn in today as the newest member of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. Suelthaus took the commission oath from Supreme Court Judge Mary Russell in a ceremony at the Missouri Department of Transportation's central office building. He was appointed to the post by Gov. Jay Nixon.

Suelthaus is an attorney with the law firm of Polsinelli Shughart PC and has more than 40 years experience in corporate law. He replaces Duane Michie, Haiti, whose term expired March 1, 2009.

"I'm pleased to welcome Mr. Suelthaus to the commission," MoDOT Interim Director Kevin Keith said. "His extensive experience in business will be extremely helpful as we work to keep transportation in Missouri on a positive track given the financial challenges we're facing."

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission is a six-member citizens' panel that governs MoDOT. It can have no more than three members from any one political party. Suelthaus is a Republican.

Members are appointed to staggered six-year terms by the governor and must be confirmed by the Senate. Suelthaus will be subject to confirmation by the Senate when it reconvenes in January.

Other members of the commission are Chairman Rudy Farber, Neosho; Vice-Chairman David Gach, St. Joseph; Grace Nichols, St. Charles; Joe Carmichael, Springfield; and Stephen Miller, Kansas City.

Governor Nixon's press release adds:

"Ken Suelthaus brings to the commission an experienced background and perspective from the business community," Gov. Nixon said. "That experience will enable him to effectively serve the people of Missouri on the Highways and Transportation Commission as it meets the state's transportation needs in the coming years."

Suelthaus holds a bachelor's degree in engineering from the University of Michigan and a law degree from the University of Missouri School of Law. He was editor in chief of the Missouri Law Review and graduated first in his law school class. As vice chairman of the Polsinelli Shughart law firm, Suelthaus has guided the acquisition, disposition and reorganization of a variety of business entities, including banks and bank holding companies. He is active in several area civic and charitable organizations.