Even before beginning his role as executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation, Phil Wilson's appointment is drawing heat to the department and prompting allegations of cronyism against the governor.

In the 1990s, Wilson served under then-Senator Phil Graham before going to work under Governor Perry controlling the Texas Enterprise Fund, the Emerging Technology Fund and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism. He currently works as a lobbyist for an energy company.

Wilson will be the first non-engineer to head the $15 billion per year, 13,000 employee state agency. In 2009, state lawmakers lifted the engineering requirement to be the transportation head.

The six other finalists applying for the job were all engineers with decades of highway project experience.

Peggy Venable with Americans for Prosperity, a conservative government watchdog organization, said engineer or not, TxDOT needs a leader.

"There are certainly plenty of engineers on staff at the Department of Transportation. I think what we need is someone who actually has management experience and the ability to pull that department together and to make sure that it is working for the taxpayers," Venable said.

In January, TxDOT's previous executive director, Amadeo Saenz, retired three weeks after a critical report said change at the top of the agency is a "critical first step" to improving the department's performance and public image.

As TxDOT Executive Director, Wilson will earn $292,000 per year, $100,000 more than his predecessor. Perry denied the $381,000 per year salary initially sought by TxDOT officials for the position. Officials felt the higher salary was needed in order to compete with the public sector.

"People in public service need to consider it public service and we don't expect them to stay there their whole careers,” Peggy Venable said. “I think those salaries need to be more in line with what the taxpayer believes is appropriate with these agencies."

YNN has contacted Wilson’s office and staffers say they are working to book an appearance in coming weeks on YNN’s political show “Capital Tonight” to discuss his qualifications and vision for the department’s future. “Capital Tonight” airs Thursdays at 6:00 p.m..