BOISE — The Idaho Transportation Department's governing board has selected a new director for the agency.

The Idaho Transportation Board on Thursday picked Brian Ness, who comes to the state after a 30-year career with the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Ness will start Jan. 11.

The board narrowed a pool of 126 applicants down to 12 finalists before Ness was selected.

"I am looking forward to the challenges that await me in serving the citizens of Idaho," Ness said. "Between now and January, I will be developing relationships with the ITD team, the Governor's staff, and the Legislature, as we move the department to the next level."

The search began after the board fired Pam Lowe in July after she had been named head of the agency in December 2006.

Lowe is challenging her termination in a lawsuit filed in 4th District Court earlier this month.

Also Thursday, Gov. Butch Otter slammed Lowe, calling her ineffective and saying he lost faith in her before she was fired.

Otter said Thursday he supported the Idaho Transportation board's move to fire Pam Lowe in July.

This month, Lowe filed a lawsuit against Idaho, contending she was terminated after refusing to bow to political pressure from Otter's office not to reduce a highway contract with two of his big political contributors.

The first female state highway director also says she was discriminated against because she's a woman.

Otter says, "In the end, despite her claims, Pam was ineffective and lost the faith and confidence of the board, my office and many in the Legislature."