VICTOR MENDEZ (LEFT) AND MARY PETERS, FORMER DIRECTORS OF THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, HAVE GONE ON TO PROMINENT ROLES IN MANAGING FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION POLICIES.

So, how does it feel to live in the state with the best highway and transportation department in the country? That definitely one possible conclusion to draw from last week’s announcement by the White House that Arizona’s Victor Mendez has been nominated as the next director of the Federal Highway Administration. Mendez just finished a six-year stint as director of the Arizona Department of Transportation, where he rose through the ranks as a highway planner to manage the multi-billion dollar freeway construction program for the Valley that was launched in 1985.

Mendez’s predecessor at ADOT, Mary Peters, also spent decades at that agency until she served as director under governors Fife Symington and Jane Dee Hull. Then, Peters became the U.S. transportation secretary (overseeing the Federal Highway Administration) during President George W. Bush’s second term.

Peters was selected by the Bush White House in part because of its close relationship with Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., who in turn long has been a big fan of Peters. And I’m guessing Janet Napolitano, who worked closely with Mendez while she was Arizona governor, had a substantial say in Mendez’s selection for the federal highway post.

At least one huge difference between Mendez and Peters: he’s still more of a professional bureaucrat while she’s evolved into a politician with strong Republican ties. Peters would like to be governor, and in fact would have run in 2006, except her decision to register to vote in Virginia while transportation secretary made a campaign too difficult to launch. However, the Federal Highway Administration post certainly involves a higher level of politics, so Mendez could have new doors open for him if he’s interested and handles the job well.

Meanwhile, I wonder if there’s any weird pressure on Gov. Jan Brewer’s selection to replace Mendez at ADOT, John Halikowski. Should he be aiming for a potential job with the next Republican president?