Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Friday named Ford Fuchigami as the interim director of the state Department of Transportation.

Fuchigami, who has served as deputy director in charge of the state’s commercial and general aviation airports since 2010, replaces Glenn Okimoto as director. The appointment is subject to state Senate confirmation.

Okimoto, the department’s director since 2010, will become the administrative affairs program officer at the University of Hawaii, where he will work on capital improvement and repair and maintenance issues. Okimoto was a former university budget director.

"Ford has done a tremendous job over the past three years as chief executive of the state’s airports system by collaborating with major stakeholders and partners," Abercrombie said in a statement. "This dedication, along with his experience and skills, will go a long way in improving all spectrums of Hawaii’s transportation network."

>Abercrombie said Okimoto "has laid a solid foundation for the department to build upon and improve our airports, harbors and highways."