Inman named federal Department of Transportation chief of staff

Jan. 24--A former insurance agent and local community leader has been named chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Transportation.

J. Todd Inman, who operated a State Farm insurance agency in Owensboro for 17 years and still serves on the boards of some area nonprofit organizations, replaced Geoffrey Burr on Tuesday as second-in-command at the department under Secretary Elaine Chao. Burr, Inman said, has taken a job in the private sector.

Inman was named one of two deputy chiefs of staff in July after having served as the DOT's director of operations for a year and a half. He said he is honored to have been selected and confirmed by the president not only because of the personal opportunities but because of what it demonstrates about western Kentucky, which he still calls home.

"This is an amazing opportunity," Inman said, speaking via phone from his office in Washington, D.C. "It lets people know back home that one of their own can be in government and be a part of making good changes that impact people's lives. It's not always people who have worked up the ladder here in D.C. It shows we have a true citizen government."

Inman was born and raised in Calvert City and moved to Owensboro in 2000 to operate the insurance agency. He ran an unsuccessful bid for mayor in 2004 but was elected chairman of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce just two years later. He has worked on several state and national Republican campaigns, including one for U.S. Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, who is Chao's husband.

Inman's latest political appointment puts him at the helm of an organization of nearly 70,000 employees. He is the only DOT leader who is a Kentucky native. His two-year ride in the nation's capital has been eye-opening, he said, but he credits Chao's leadership at the agency for the successes he and all those employees enjoy.

"When I started this journey, I never would have fathomed this, but it just goes to show that anything is possible," he said. "Having a mentor like Secretary Chao these last two years has taught me things I'll use for the rest of my life, understanding government processes and how policy works. She says all the time that personnel is policy; if you have the right personnel, everything else will fall in line. It's so true. You have to have a good bench."

His appointment is an example of just how deep the transportation bench is. He worked his first full day as chief of staff with two new deputy chiefs who have their own set of portfolios on which to help lead the organization and see to it that the president and cabinet's agenda becomes sound policy across the U.S.

The transportation department, he said, has many facets that go far beyond roads and bridges, and he has been fascinated by how impactful decisions made at the national level are on local issues that affect real, average Americans. Chao's policy agenda, he said, partially focuses on empowering rural Americans to help rebuild aging infrastructure. Both Chao and Inman have obvious ties to the Bluegrass State, which he called a perfect example of one of those regions that can serve to benefit from a renewed focus on rural issues.

Inman keeps a Kentucky flag on display at his office because his home state is a continued source of pride, he said.

Unfortunately, his first days on the job have been what could be among the busiest. The U.S. DOT staff has been cut nearly in half by the federal government shutdown, which means many essential full-time employees are picking up extra duties. He remains confident, however, that the department is continuing its mission to keep all domestic travelers safe.

Austin Ramsey, 270-691-7302, aramsey@messenger-inquirer.com, Twitter: @austinrramsey

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