Ray LaHood’s advice: Rely on career staffers to carry out goals

We’re chatting with former Cabinet members, chiefs of staff and government leaders from now to Jan. 20 to get a sense of what the incoming administration might face as it takes the reins.

Today we’re talking to Ray LaHood, a former Republican lawmaker who made the unusual move to serve in Democratic President Barack Obama’s administration as Transportation secretary. LaHood has gone on to serve as an adviser on transportation issues around the country and sits on the Bradley University board of trustees.

What advice do you have for the next Cabinet secretary?

Count on a great team of people, professional career people at DOT. Day in and day out they are professional and will salute and carry out the goals and the mission of the new secretary. They’re career people, and they will do what needs to be done to carry out the goals of the new secretary.

What’s one thing you didn’t know that you wish you did before you got into the job?

All of the bureaucracy and paperwork, especially during the vetting process. I’m a former teacher, and my wife, who’s a CPA, always did our taxes. So I was surprised when the FBI went back and did their interviews and talked to teachers I worked with in 1971. I had no idea there was gonna be such a thorough investigation and all of the paperwork and bureaucracy that it took to get through the FBI background check and through the Senate Commerce Committee and through the White House.

What do you see as the biggest obstacle facing the next administration?

They’re at the end of three years of the trillion-dollar transportation bill. Some of the money is prescribed by formula. Much of it is discretionary. And I think the biggest challenge will be how will this new administration carry out the mandates that are in the bill — which is a five-year bill. The best example is high speed rail and Amtrak money. Will they continue an emphasis on rail or will they ignore all that?

Where did you go to have a meltdown?

When I needed to relax and when I needed some downtime, I would come back to Peoria where my grandkids are, my family and my friends. Peoria is a very normal, peaceful place.

Want more? Former White House chief of staff Samuel Skinner says working across the aisle will be key.