WILMINGTON, DELAWARE (1/5/2015) A veteran of state government service has been tapped to lead the Delaware Department of Transportation.
Gov. Jack Markell announced today that Jennifer Cohan, director of the Division of Motor Vehicles since 2007, is being nominated for secretary of transportation, which is subject to Senate confirmation.
She would replace Shailen Bhatt, whose departure the end of this month for a position in Colorado was announced earlier today.
Cohan, 42, began her career with DelDOT in 1989. Earlier, she worked in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and in the Office of the Controller General.
She is also an adjunct professor at Wilmington University, teaching leadership and public policy in the master’s program.
“Jennifer’s proven leadership skills have played an integral role in the transformation of the Delaware Department of Transportation over the past eight years, particularly as it relates to improved services and supports within the Division of Motor Vehicles,” Markell said. “She has worked her way up through the ranks of state government, starting as a casual/seasonal front-line worker to director of DMV, gaining extensive knowledge and experience that will make her an ideal candidate to serve as the state’s transportation secretary.”