< p>Virginia is getting a new voice on the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which oversees the $6 billion Dulles rail project.

Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell appointed Todd Stottlemeyer to replace Mame Reiley, who resigned last week because of health concerns. She'd been appointed by Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine.

Stottlemeyer is the chief executive officer of management firm Acentia. McDonnell appointed him to the airports board last year during an attempt to expand the number of board seats Virginia holds. But the authority blocked that appointment with a legal opinion saying that Maryland and the District of Columbia had to change their laws before the board could accept more voting members.

Virginia lawmakers concerned about rising costs on the Dulles Metro rail project have been repeatedly frustrated by the airports board over the past year, calling it"dysfunctional" and secretive and claiming it disregards the views of Virginia officials.