Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced that Tom Sorel of the Federal Highway Administration will replace Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Molnau was ousted from the position in February amid concerns over mismanagement. She had held both posts at the same time but her tenure at MnDOT had been controversial.

Sorel is the Minnesota division administrator for the Federal Highway Administration and oversees approximately $500 million in federal aid to the state of Minnesota annually. Prior to coming to Minnesota, he was the U.S. Department of Transportation’s inter-modal liaison in Salt Lake City, Utah, for the 2002 Olympics, during which he facilitated communication and coordination of transportation with the U.S. Olympic committee.

Pawlenty chose Sorel over acting MnDOT commissioner Bob McFarlin and several other potential candidates. McFarlin was the public face for MnDOT and was also an outspoken critic of the Star Tribune’s coverage of the 35W bridge collapse.

After the jump: Listen as Gov. Pawlenty introduces Tom Sorel as new commissioner (8:03)