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Two finalists for MnDOT job

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Dec 6, 2012 at 3:05 pm

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KNSI) The chief executive of a major Minnesota-based bus company and a veteran state employee are the two finalists to lead the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Gov. Mark Dayton planned Friday to interview the two, a process that makes their names public.

One is Charlie Zelle, the president and chief executive officer of Jefferson Lines. The regional bus company operates in 13 states from North Dakota to Texas. The former investment banker returned to Minnesota to run his family's company.

The other is Bernie Arseneau, the current acting commissioner. He has worked at the department for three decades and is a trained engineer.

The department maintains more than 12,000 miles of state highways, including nearly 5,000 bridges.

Previous commissioner Tom Sorel resigned in November to take a private sector job.