Co Verdaas

Johannes Cornelis "Co" Verdaas (born 5 August 1966, in Breda) is a Dutch politician of the Labour Party (Partij van de Arbeid). He served as State Secretary for the Ministry of Economic Affairs, dealing with agriculture, nature, food quality, tourism and postal affairs in the Cabinet Rutte II from 5 November 2012 [1] until his resignation on 6 December 2012.[2] He previously served as a Member of the House of Representatives from 30 January 2003 until 29 November 2006, and as a member of the Provincial Executive (Gedeputeerde Staten) of the province of Gelderland from 2007 to 2012. Due to doubtful traffic expenses in his capacity of last one, he stepped down as a State Secretary.[3]

Co Verdaas
State Secretary for Economic Affairs (Netherlands)
In office 5 November 2012 – 6 December 2012
Prime Minister	Mark Rutte
Preceded by	Henk Bleker
Succeeded by	Sharon Dijksma
Member of the House of Representatives
In office 30 January 2003 – 29 November 2006
Personal details
Born	Johannes Cornelis Verdaas 5 August 1966 Breda, Netherlands
Nationality	Dutch
Political party	Labour Party
Residence	Zwolle, Netherlands
Alma mater	Radboud University Nijmegen (MA and PhD in urban planning)
Occupation	Politician Civil servant Urban planner Consultant

Verdaas studied urban planning at Radboud University Nijmegen. Het developed the so-called Ladder of Verdaas, a system for solving traffic problems. Besides he is singer and guitarist in the rock band John-Boy & The Waltons.

References

• (in Dutch) Parlement.com biography

1. (in Dutch) Verdaas, PvdA'er op Landbouw, NOS, November 15, 2012
2. As State Secretary for Economic Affairs Verdaas was allowed to use the ministerial title Minister of Agriculture while on foreign business.
3. (in Dutch) Staatssecretaris Verdaas treedt af, NOS, December 6, 2012