The Idaho Transportation Department has a new director, just days after the former director sued the state agency over her firing.

Brian Ness, who comes from the Michigan Department of Transportation for the $160,000-a-year job, enters the agency during a time of public dispute between Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter and former ITD director Pamela Lowe. On Thursday, the same day Ness’ hiring was announced, Otter hammered Lowe.

“In the end, despite her claims, Pam was ineffective and lost the faith and confidence of the board, my office and many in the Legislature,” Otter said on Thursday.

Lowe has filed a lawsuit against ITD and its board members, alleging she was fired because she refused to yield to political pressure from Otter’s office to not reduce a contract with two companies that are major campaign contributors to the governor. She also alleges that she was fired because of her gender.

Lowe, for her part, said in an interview with the Times-News that Otter never conveyed that sentiment to her directly or through any intermediaries.

“If the governor really felt this way, I don’t know why he would not tell the board when I was there and had an opportunity to respond,” Lowe said, adding that the transportation board never indicated any concerns and always gave her “nothing but positive reviews.”

Ness, picked by the Idaho Transportation Board from 12 finalists among 126 applicants, began working for Michigan in 1980 and held various engineering and management jobs. Most recently, he was the region administrator for Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, where he oversaw 250 employees in a 24-county region.

In an interview with the Times-News, Ness said Michigan has similarities to Idaho.

“It’s a state where the citizens really pride themselves on the natural resources and the natural beauty,” he said.

Ness said Idaho’s greatest transportation need is its declining revenue base on federal and state levels.

In Michigan, the Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle bond program is used as another tool for road construction, while Idaho’s approach has targeted specific projects that fall under the program, Ness said.

He officially starts his new job Jan. 11, but will meet with legislators in December.

Rep. Wendy Jaquet, D-Ketchum, said she was pleased that the board picked someone with a strong transportation background.

“There’s a real need for safe highways and a real lack of funding,” she said.

Rep. Leon Smith, R-Twin Falls, agreed.

“He’s certainly got his challenges to try to raise some revenue so that they can get our road system and our bridge system back in the condition they need to be,” said Smith, a member of the house transportation committee.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Ben Botkin may be reached at bbotkin@magicvalley. com or 208-735-3238.