Thomas Mello emphasizes infrastructure, housing and planning experience at State Building Authority hearing

Thomas Mello, nominated to the State Building Authority, told the Senate State Affairs Committee he grew up in Boise and has professional experience in public finance and real estate markets that he said would inform work on state infrastructure and public buildings.

“My name is Thomas Mello. I was born and raised here in Boise,” Mello said, then summarized experience working on the East Coast in investment banking focused on public bonds, infrastructure and housing. He said that experience will help in evaluating construction, maintenance and property-management decisions for state facilities.

Mello identified affordable housing and anticipating growth as priorities: “We need to focus on areas of growth and where we can accommodate or provide future-looking dollars so we can get ahead of the curve rather than behind the curve,” he said. On regulatory reform, Mello said building codes and zoning are important and that supply-side costs—land and construction—drive rents.

Senators thanked Mello for volunteering to serve; the chair said the panel would vote on his confirmation at the next committee meeting, likely Monday. No confirmation vote occurred at the hearing.

Speakers in the record include Thomas Mello; the committee chair (unnamed); Senator Denhartauge; and Senator Hartog.