Gov. Terry Branstad today named Iowa Department of Transportation veteran Mark Lowe as DOT interim director. He replaces Paul Trombino, who resigned effective today. Lowe has directed the motor vehicle division since 2009. He previously served as DOT general counsel. Lowe, 50, was born in Illinois and lived in rural Illinois and Missouri before moving to Iowa in 1977. He graduated from Carroll High School in 1984 and from Iowa State University in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in community and regional planning. Lowe has a law degree from Drake University. He lives in West Des Moines.