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

The Joint Standing Committee on Transportation on April 1 voted unanimously to recommend confirmation of Andre Brere, a former deputy commissioner of New Hampshire Department of Transportation, as executive director of the Maine Turnpike Authority.

The committee held a public confirmation hearing in which the Turnpike Authority's board chair, Michael Chunkett, presented Brere's nomination and praised his experience leading transportation organizations and his background in the U.S. military. Brere told the committee he aims to run a “transparent, dynamic, and responsive MTA” and stressed his commitment to safety, employee empowerment and collaboration with MaineDOT.

Why it matters: The executive director heads the enterprise that manages the 109-mile Maine Turnpike from Kittery to Augusta, operates without state or federal tax dollars, and oversees critical highway capacity and safety for much of the state's commerce and travel. The committee's recommendation now moves the nomination to the full Senate for final confirmation.

During the hearing, lawmakers asked Brere about safety initiatives, public engagement on projects such as the Gorham Connector, workforce recruitment, and technical systems including the MTA's E‑ZPass billing and cybersecurity posture. Brere said he intends to deepen collaboration with MaineDOT, expand community outreach on major projects and quickly review the authority's tolling and cyber protections to build “a comfort level” with those systems.

Turnpike Authority chair Michael Chunkett said the board conducted a robust search and unanimously offered Brere's name. Chunkett thanked interim executive Peter Mills and interim staff for steering the authority during the transition. Brere described his career in federal and state transportation roles, including responsibility for a $750 million annual budget and 1,600 employees at New Hampshire DOT, and said he would emphasize “integrity first,” mutual respect and employee empowerment.

Public supporters from the construction and transportation industry testified in favor of the nomination, including the Associated General Contractors of Maine and local industry representatives who cited his operations and human resources experience. Maine DOT Commissioner Bruce Sandode also spoke in support.

Committee action: Representative Lydia Crafts moved the committee recommendation; the committee then took a roll-call vote. Twelve members present voted in favor and none opposed. The committee clerk recorded the result and the committee will notify the president of the Senate as required under the legislature's rules. The Senate will take the final confirmation vote.

What’s next: The committee's written recommendation will be sent to the Senate president. If the full Senate confirms the nomination, Brere will assume leadership of the Turnpike Authority subject to any onboarding steps the authority requires.

Sources: Public hearing testimony and questions before the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation on April 1, 2025.