Molnau replacement is MnDOT veteran

Bob McFarlin, 50, named acting transportation commissioner Thursday, had been Carol Molnau's top assistant since March 2003. He's in his second stint at the agency, having been director of public affairs for the agency from 1992 to 1999.

The remainder of his résumé consists of public affairs and public relations jobs dating to his work for the Minnesota House of Representatives in the 1980s. McFarlin holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's in speech, both from the University of Minnesota.

McFarlin became more familiar to everyday Minnesotans after the Aug. 1 collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge. He served as MnDOT's primary spokesman while Molnau remained largely in the background, and he steadfastly defended his boss and repeatedly cautioned against making premature conclusions about the causes of the collapse.

Molnau's critics in the Legislature have said McFarlin has been the real leader of MnDOT, something Molnau has denied.

Lucy Kender, MnDOT's communications director, said Thursday that McFarlin would not be available for comment until today at the earliest.

JIM FOTI