PLP Alumni News

Whitney Duff (PLP 07) has been named the Vice President of Government Affairs at House of Rock Communications in Washington. Congratulations Whitney!

Brian Gottstein (PLP 05) was recently named the Director of Communications for Virginia's new Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Congratulations Brian!

Jen Little (PLP 07) has been promoted to Director of Business Development and Marketing for Courthouse Construction Company. Congratulations Jen!

Bree Raum (PLP 09) has been voted the new Chair of Finance for the Arlington County Democratic Committee. Jaime Areizaga (PLP 09) will serve as her Deputy. Congratulations to you both! 

Governor-elect Bob McDonnell announced today that he has appointed Sean Connaughton (PLP Fall 95) as Secretary of Transportation. Congratulations Sean! Press release reads in part as follows:

McDonnell Announces Three Cabinet Appointments

RICHMOND- Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnell held a midday press conference at the State Capitol to announce three new cabinet appointments in his incoming Administration.

            McDonnell appointed Sean Connaughton, former Chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors and later Administrator of the Maritime Administration in the United States Department of Transportation, as Secretary of Transportation.

Speaking about Sean Connaughton, his selection for Secretary of Transportation, McDonnell remarked, “Improving transportation was a major focus of my campaign because it is a core responsibility of our state government, and a serious challenge that must be addressed. Sean shares my commitment to solving our transportation challenges, and his background has prepared him very well for this position. His experience as Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration, and service as Vice President of the American Bureau of Shipping, gives him a depth of experience and knowledge about what needs to be done at and around the Port of Virginia in the years ahead to ensure that we fully maximize the potential of this great asset. As Chairman of the Board in Prince William County, Sean established a Department of Transportation which built $300 million worth of roads in the county and gained solid understanding of the transportation challenges facing our suburban and exurban localities in the faster-growing parts of our state. He agrees with me we must be much faster and more efficient in transportation planning and decision making. And his overall background in transportation law and policy give him a broad perspective on this multi-faceted issue, the kind of perspective that is invaluable in a diverse state such as Virginia. Sean has been a longtime public servant, from his days at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy to his leadership role as Maritime Administrator. Now, he will continue his public service as Virginia’s Secretary of Transportation. The building and maintaining of a 21st Century transportation system that facilitates job creation and improves our citizens quality of life is imperative to the future prospects of our Commonwealth. I can think of no one better than Sean to lead in this endeavor.”

Sean T. Connaughton

Sean T. Connaughton is Corporate Vice President, Government Affairs for the American Bureau of Shipping.  The American Bureau of Shipping is one of the world's leading ship and marine classification societies.

Prior to joining ABS, Sean served as U.S. Maritime Administrator under President George W. Bush (2006 – 2009).  As Maritime Administrator, he was head of the Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, and responsible for the daily management of that agency and its promotional programs for the marine transportation industry.  This included advising and assisting the Secretary of Transportation on commercial maritime matters, operation of over 50 ships in the Ready Reserve Force, supervision of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, oversight of the six State Maritime Academies, and administration of various shipyard and cargo programs. Connaughton was appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

Connaughton is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He has served the U.S. Coast Guard as both a commissioned officer and as a civil servant in the Office of Marine Safety, Security, and Environmental Protection.  After gaining a Master’s degree from Georgetown University, he joined the American Petroleum Institute, representing companies involved in the energy and marine transportation industries, during which time he also gained a law degree from George Mason University.

As a lawyer in private practice he specialized in maritime and international law. He has appeared before the United States Supreme Court. He is a member of the Virginia Bar Association and the District of Columbia Bar Association. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1986 until retiring in 2006. He is a graduate (with honors) of the U.S. Naval War College.

Sean was elected Chairman At-large of the Prince William County (Va) Board of Supervisors in 1999 and overwhelmingly reelected in 2003.  Sean served on numerous regional boards and commissions, including the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.  In 2004, he was recognized by the National Association of Counties with its Distinguished Service Award for his efforts on workforce development.

Sean was selected to receive the 2009 Vincent T. Hirsh Maritime Award for Outstanding Leadership by the Navy League of the United States.  He was named the “2007 Maritime Person of the Year” by the Propeller Club of the United States.  He was awarded the “2007 Government Man of the Year” by the Maritime Port Council of Greater New York and Vicinity. In 2007, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in Public Administration from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.  The Journal of Commerce named him to its 2008 “JOC Leadership Roll.”  In 2009, he was presented with the “Maritime Samaritan Award” from the Apostleship of the Sea of the United States.

Connaughton currently is a Trustee of the Joe Gibbs Youth for Tomorrow home, a residential program for at-risk adolescents of the Greater Washington area.  He is on the Board of Directors of the Northern Virginia Family Services, a nonprofit providing housing, training, health and other social services.  He is also Board of Directors of the Hylton Performing Arts Center.