Transportation committee unanimously recommends confirmation of Andre Brere as Maine Turnpike Authority executive director

The Joint Standing Committee on Transportation recommended unanimously on April 1 that the Senate confirm Andre Brere of Concord, New Hampshire, as executive director of the Maine Turnpike Authority after a public confirmation hearing.

Brere, who has served as deputy commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation and has a long U.S. military career, told lawmakers he would pursue closer collaboration with MaineDOT, prioritize safety investments on the Turnpike and review operational systems such as E‑ZPass billing and cybersecurity if confirmed. "My mission has always been to make seemingly impossible tasks possible," Brere said in his prepared remarks to the committee.

The motion to recommend the nomination was made by Representative Lydia Crafts, House chair of the committee. Michael Chunkett, chair of the Maine Turnpike Authority board, introduced Brere and described a unanimous board decision to forward his nomination. Chunkett credited interim executive leadership and MTA staff for steadying operations while the board completed its search.

Nut graf: The committee hearing gave members an opportunity to question Brere on safety, community engagement and operational priorities for the 109‑mile Maine Turnpike, which operates without state or federal tax dollars and is a major economic corridor for the state. After public testimony from industry groups and municipal representatives endorsing his experience, the committee voted to forward a favorable recommendation to the Senate.

During questioning, Brere emphasized these points:

- Safety: He described safety as a mindset that requires investment and technology — including wrong‑way detection and in‑vehicle or device‑level interventions — and said he would seek partnerships with MaineDOT and the technology sector.

- Collaboration with MaineDOT and communities: Brere said close coordination with MaineDOT and early, deeper engagement with municipalities on project planning were priorities, referencing prior experience leading multi‑year planning and public engagement in New Hampshire.

- Workforce and culture: He said he plans to spend his early months meeting staff and to apply a management approach prioritizing integrity, mutual respect and employee empowerment. He acknowledged public reports that called for cultural improvements and said he would seek to understand existing practices before proposing change.

- Operations and cybersecurity: Brere told the committee he planned a rapid review of the Turnpike’s E‑ZPass and tolling systems and their cyber perimeters to confirm robustness and readiness for potential future fully electronic tolling.

Public testimony: Industry groups including the Associated General Contractors of Maine and Maine Better Transportation Association testified in favor of Brere’s nomination, noting his experience in transportation operations and workforce development. Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner Bruce (given in testimony as Bruce Sandode) also testified in support.

Committee vote: After a brief administrative delay to wait for absent members, committee members present voted by roll call; the committee clerk recorded 12 yeas, 0 nays. The chair announced that the committee would send its recommendation to the President of the Senate per 3 M.R.S.A. § 157.

Ending: The committee closed the confirmation hearing after accepting public comment and agreed to forward its recommendation to the Senate; a formal Senate vote will be scheduled under the legislature’s confirmation procedures.