AUGUSTA — Daniel Wathen was unanimously approved Tuesday by the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation to serve as a member of the Maine Turnpike Authority.

“I thank Governor LePage for offering me this important opportunity,” Wathen, of Augusta, told committee members during his appointment review. “Working together with trust and cooperation, I am sure that we will forge a new era of openness and accountability while protecting the sources of financing that are so important to the future of our state.”

In March, LePage appointed Peter Mills, of Cornville, executive director to the Authority to help restore trust and confidence to the agency. LePage appointed Wathen earlier this month.

“I appreciate the endorsement from our elected leaders of Judge Wathen,” LePage said in a statement issued by his office. “He is a man that brings impeccable credentials to an Authority whose reputation is recovering from revelations of fiscal improprieties. It is time to redirect focus at the Authority and these two appointments are considerable steps for its successful future.”

Wathen served 20 years on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, 10 as Chief Justice. He has served as a Justice of the Maine Superior Court. He is a graduate of Ricker College and the University of Maine School of Law where he served as editor-in-chief of the Maine Law Review.

The appointment will now go before the Senate. If confirmed, Wathen is likely to be appointed as Chairman of the Board.