Former Young Brothers Ltd. executive Roy Catalani has been appointed by Gov. David Ige to be deputy director of the Administration Division within the state Department of Transportation.

The Administration Division oversees 2,600 employees working for Hawaii’s 15 airports, 10 commercial harbors and 2,500 lane miles of state roadway. Catalani is responsible for the division’s administrative functions, including personnel administration, central computer services, business management activities, environmental compliance, civil rights, emergency management and contract services.

Catalani’s position is subject to Senate confirmation.

“We are pleased to have Roy’s legal experience as well as his business knowledge, particularly his harbors and transportation background, which will be an asset to the state,” Ige said. “We have billions of dollars in modernization and improvement projects underway, and Roy’s input will be extremely valuable to the state.”

Catalani fills the role previously held by Jade Butay, who is now interim HDOT director. Butay has served in that position since November when Ford Fuchigami moved from HDOT to become Ige’s administrative director.

Catalani had served as vice president of strategic initiatives and external affairs for Young Brothers since 2005, where he provided integrated strategic, legal, regulatory, governmental, customer services, facilities, communications and external affairs leadership in developing the company’s core programs and initiatives.

“With my background in executive management, planning and law, I believe I can make positive contributions to the important work in advocacy, planning and the modernization of the state’s critical transportation infrastructure,” Catalani said.