Republican Caren Merrick, the McLean businesswoman who ran unsuccessfully for the state Senate this year, has been appointed to the Metropolitian Washington Airport Authority.

Gov. Bob McDonnell announced the appointment of Merrick and Todd Stottlemyer of Oak Hill to the authority on Wednesday.

The move is in line with McDonnell's long-term approach to having more say on regional transit boards, and follows successful legislation spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., to expand the MWAA board from 13 to 17 members, according to the Washington Post.

The MWAA board opposed Wolf's effort and is reviewing the legality of the governor's appointments, the Post reports.

The authority oversees Dulles International and Ronald Reagan Washington National airports, along with operation and maintenance of the Dulles Toll Road and construction of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project.