(AP) -- COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- A trucking executive is the newest member of the South Carolina Department of Transportation Board.

Ken Willingham takes over the at-large spot on the board from Tee Hooper of Greenville, who served for six years.

Willingham is president of Thompson Trucking Company Inc. in Charleston. He has a civil engineering degree from The Citadel and worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and military police after college. He also has served on several Charleston-area transportation boards.

The seven-member board governs the DOT. Other members are selected from South Carolina's six congressional districts.

Willingham was appointed by Gov. Mark Sanford and confirmed by the state Senate during last week's special session.

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