He worked with former Govs. McAuliffe and Northam. Now he’s set to lead the Virginia Port Authority board.

The new head of the Virginia Port Authority board of commissioners knows a thing or two about transportation.

Aubrey Layne, a former state official with Govs. Ralph Northam and Terry McAuliffe’s administrations, was appointed chairman at the body’s monthly meeting, the Virginia Port Authority announced July 20.

Under McAuliffe, Layne was secretary of transportation from 2014 to 2018. He was appointed secretary of finance under Northam’s administration and served in that role from 2018 to 2021.

Layne said the board’s main responsibilities will continue to be financial oversight of the port, as well as making sure the right senior leaders are hired in order to run the entity.

He also wants to continue to work with Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration and focus on economic development.

“Really important to me is that we are not only providing jobs for the port but providing opportunities for businesses to relocate here,” Layne said.

Layne’s extensive knowledge of Virginia’s transportation system would be a massive asset for the port, Virginia Port Authority CEO and Executive Director Stephen Edwards said.

“Equally important is knowledge he gained from working under two governors and the relationships he developed in Richmond during that time,” Edwards added.

Layne said he hoped to use his Richmond connections to continue to secure funding for capital improvement projects. He’s also working with Virginia lawmakers for more federal grant funding. The Port of Virginia is funded through its operations, but uses state and federal money to pay for infrastructure projects.

After working for two governors, Layne accepted a position at Sentara Healthcare in 2021 and works as a vice president and chief of staff. He oversees legislative affairs, corporate social responsibility, real estate, construction, marketing and communications and the hospital system’s nursing school.

In addition to Layne, four other new board members were appointed, including:

• Shaza Andersen, Trustar Bank CEO,

• James Burnett, W.M. Jordan Co. vice president and chief financial officer,

• Michael Coleman, CV International Inc. and Capes Shipping president and CEO, and

• John Kirk III, Associated Asphalt chairman.

Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com