2016 Directory Executive - Transportation

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ExecutiveDirectory2016

Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary Jennifer Cohan

Transportationmobility for a better quality of life

AASHTO

LEADERSHIP

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Bud WrightExecutive Director

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

Bud Wright is the Executive Director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), a non-profit, non-partisan association that supports and represents the interests and missions of state DOTs. He has experience in both the private sector and as a top executive at the Federal Highway Administration.

As AASHTO Executive Director, Wright oversees a staff of 120 professionals who support their members in the development of transportation solu-tions that create economic prosperity, enhance quality of life, and improve transportation safety in U.S. communities, states, and the nation as a whole. AASHTO is now in its second century of service to state departments of transportation and their highly skilled employees.

Wright was a transportation policy consultant prior to his appointment in 2012 to lead AASHTO. He served as Executive Director of the Federal Highway Administration from 2001 to 2008, assisting the Administrator in establishing policies, programs, and priorities for the $40 billion annual Federal-aid highway program. As FHWA’s chief operating officer, he was also responsible for a workforce of more than 2,500 transportation professionals and an annual operating budget of $400 million.

He served in a number of positions during his career with FHWA including program manager for safety and director of the Office of Budget and Fi-nance, where he worked extensively on the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). In 1992, he became the first non-engineer to serve as an FHWA state-level Division Administrator.

Among other current affiliations, Wright is a member of the Transportation Research Board Executive Committee, the ITS America Board of Directors, the ITS World Congress Board of Directors, and chairs the United States National Committee to the World Road Association.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Virginia Tech, and he and his wife, Kate, have two grown children.

Phone (202) 624-5811 E-mail [email protected]

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Paul Trombino IIIPresident, AASHTO

Director, Iowa Department of Transportation

Paul Trombino III was appointed director of the Iowa Department of Transportation May 9, 2011.

As Director of the Iowa Department of Transportation, Trombino oversees an agency responsible for the planning, design, construction, and opera-tions of 9,400 miles of highways, 4,300 bridges; the modal programs of transit, rail, air, and en¬hancements; motor vehicle services which includes driver and vehicle services; and motor carrier services and enforcement. The agency is comprised of 2,700 employees and expends $1.2 billion in transportation investments annually.

Trombino currently is the 2015–2016 President of the American Associa-tion of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO); is a member of AASHTO Executive Committee; Chair of the AASHTO Subcommittee on Transportation Communication; is the 2016 Vice-Chair of the Transporta-tion Research Board Executive Committee; and active in the State Strategic Transportation Initiatives (SSTI) group.

Prior to this position, Trombino worked at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) for 17 years. At WisDOT, he held several positions, serving as regional operations director of the highway division; director of the bureau of transit, local roads, rails and harbors; director of the bureau of statewide structures; and manager of highway bid lettings. Before coming to WisDOT, Trombino spent four years in the finance and banking industry in Chicago and Washington, DC.

Trombino holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He is a licensed professional engineer in the states of Iowa and Wisconsin.

Phone (515) 239-1111E-mail [email protected]

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David Bernhardt, P.E.Vice President, AASHTO

Commissioner, Maine Department of Transportation

David B. Bernhardt was appointed to be Maine’s Commissioner of Trans-portation by Governor Paul LePage, and was sworn into office in February 2011. Bernhardt joined the Maine Department of Transportation in 1984 and has held several positions at the department over the years.

Immediately prior to his job as Commissioner, he was MaineDOT’s Director of Engineering and Operations. His duties in that role included tackling difficult or recurring engineering, technical, and operational challenges, and recommending solutions based on engineering and operational ex-perience, and transportation-system measures. As Director of Engineering and Operations, he also managed MaineDOT’s line units, the Bureau of Project Development, the Bureau of Maintenance and Operations, and the Environmental Office.

Bernhardt previously served as MaineDOT’s Director of Maintenance and Operations for more than four years, during which time he implemented a number of cost- and efficiency-gaining initiatives.

Bernhardt currently is the 2015–2016 Vice President of the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO).

He is a 1984 graduate of the University of Maine at Orono, where he earned associate and bachelor of science degrees in civil engineering. He is a registered professional engineer, and he is an active participant on national and state committees involved in transportation issues.

He lives in Vassalboro, Maine, with his wife, Carmen. He has two daugh-ters and a son.


6

Carlos Braceras, P.E.Secretary/Treasurer, AASHTO

Executive Director, Utah Department of Transportation

Utah Governor Gary Herbert appointed Carlos Braceras to serve as Utah Department of Transportation executive director on May 6, 2013. Former UDOT Executive Director John Njord appointed Carlos Braceras to deputy director in May 2001. At the time, he was the director of UDOT’s Region 3.

Braceras also worked on the Legacy Parkway/I-15 North Project, where he was responsible for development of the environmental documents, design-build contracts, and construction of both facilities. Since joining UDOT in 1986, Braceras has served as the chief geotechnical engineer, the chief value engineer, and the Region 2 roadway design engineer. In 1998, he was named “State of Utah Governor’s Manager of the Year” and received the “UDOT Leader of the Year” award.

Prior to joining UDOT, Braceras worked as a well-site geologist in the oil and gas exploration and development industry. He received a bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of Vermont and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Utah.

He currently serves as the AASHTO Secretary/Treasurer, Chair of the AASHTO Subcommittee on Design, Chair of the Advisory Board for the Center of Environmental Excellence, member of the Board of Directors, and WASHTO Vice President.


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AASHTO

STATE MEMBER

DEPARTMENTS

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John R. CooperDirector

Alabama Department of Transportation

John R. Cooper became Alabama’s Transportation Director at the begin-ning of Governor Robert Bentley’s administration in January 2011. Cooper came out of retirement to head the Alabama Department of Transporta-tion. From 2002 to 2008, he was chief executive officer of Avocent Cor-poration in Huntsville, a global provider of IT infrastructure management. In addition to serving as CEO, he was chairman of Avocent from 2003 to 2008.

Cooper has a business background that has seen him serve as a CEO, chief financial officer, corporate vice president, and as a partner in large accounting firms.

He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the Univer-sity of Alabama.


ALABAMA

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Marc A. LuikenCommissioner

Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

Marc Luiken serves as the Commissioner for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. Under his direction, the department is responsible for the planning, design and construction, as well as the main-tenance and operation, of Alaska’s transportation system, public buildings, and facilities.

He previously served as the department’s Commissioner from Decem-ber 2010 to October 2012, a position he took after serving as DOT’s Deputy Commissioner for Aviation. Most recently, Commissioner Luiken was employed as a project manager and performance coach with RLG international, a consulting firm supporting the oil industry in Alaska with ConocoPhillips and BP Exploration Alaska.

Prior to his public service to the State of Alaska, Luiken served 29 years with the U.S. Air Force, retiring June 1, 2010. His career as an Air Force fighter pilot spanned the globe with multiple assignments in the United Kingdom and Germany, and an assignment in Japan. He is combat vet-eran with service in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Joint Forge, and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Commissioner Luiken holds a bachelor’s in human factors engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy; a master’s degree in management from Troy State University and a master’s in strategic studies from Air University in Alabama. He is a Certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives and a member of the Air Force Association.

He lives in Anchorage with his wife, Suzanne, and has five children.


ALASKA

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John S. HalikowskiDirector

Arizona Department of Transportation

John S. Halikowski was first appointed Director of the Arizona Depart-ment of Transportation (ADOT) in February 2009 and reappointed by Governor Douglas A. Ducey in January 2015. His more than 25 years of experience in transportation—including legislation, policy, and program administration—guides Arizona’s leading transportation agency as it serves one of the fastest-growing areas of the country. Halikowski has sharpened ADOT’s focus to maximize available resources and to deliver results for Arizona.

During his 12 years at the Arizona House of Representatives as Director of Research, Halikowski was responsible for working with constituencies on transportation issues at all levels of government and private industry. He spent seven years involved in all aspects of ADOT Motor Vehicle Division operations.

Halikowski serves on several state- and national-level transportation boards and commissions, including: Chair of AASHTO Standing Committee on Research; Past President of WASHTO; TRB Executive Committee and National Research Council Oversight; Advisory Board of the Eno Center for Transportation; Co-Chair of Arizona-Mexico Commission Transportation, In-frastructure and Ports Committee; Co-Chair of Arizona Transportation and Trade Corridor Alliance; Arizona Traffic Safety Advisory Council Executive Committee; Arizona Governor’s Commission on Privatization and Efficiency; and Arizona Governor’s Joint Border Security Advisory Committee. He has testified before the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technol-ogy regarding the importance of transportation research and funding.

Halikowski received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Arizona State University. He has completed professional programs for trans-portation leaders through the Wharton Transportation Executive Program and AASHTO National Transportation Leadership Institute.

Phone (602) 712-7227

E-mail [email protected] ARIZONA

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Scott Bennett, P.E.Director

Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department

Scott Bennett was appointed as Director of the Arkansas State High-way and Transportation Department in September 2011 by the Arkansas Highway Commission. He is a career Department engineer with 28 years of experience.

Bennett began full-time with the Department in 1989 after working as an engineering intern for four summers prior to graduation from college. His experience with the department includes work in planning, research, program development and management, project needs prioritization, and transportation program funding. Prior to becoming Director, Bennett served as the Department’s Assistant Chief Engineer for Planning. He is also the Chair of the Arkansas State Highway Employees Retirement Association.

Bennett manages a $1.2 billion budget and 3,700 employees across Arkansas. During his tenure as Director, voters have approved an Interstate Rehabilitation Program and a Connecting Arkansas Program totaling $3 billion of additional investment in Arkansas’ highway system.

On the national level, Bennett is a member of the AASHTO Board of Direc-tors and FAST Act Implementation and Reauthorization Steering Commit-tee. He is co-chair of the AASHTO/AGC/ARTBA Joint Committee, and a member of AASHTO’s Standing Committees on Performance Management and Finance and Administration, and the TRB Executive Committee.

Bennett holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Arkansas and is a registered profes-sional engineer. He was named the University of Arkansas Young Engineer of the Year in 2005 and was inducted into the Arkansas Academy of Civil Engineering in 2010. He is now President-elect of the Academy. He is also a member of the Arkansas Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors


ARKANSAS

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Malcolm DoughertyDirector

California Department of Transportation

Malcolm Dougherty was appointed by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. to Director of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in May 2012. He leads the $11 billion organization and Caltrans 20,000 employees who build, maintain, and operate the 50,000 lane miles of California’s world-class transportation system.

Director Dougherty has over 21 years experience with Caltrans, and before becoming Director, served as the Chief Deputy, Chief Engineer, and District Director in the Fresno Area. He has held management positions in Design, Project Management, Maintenance and Traffic Operations during his career at Caltrans. His focus throughout his career has been on safety, efficient project delivery, partnerships with all stakeholders, and leading a professional and ethi-cal workforce to provide mobility for the people of California.

He also serves on the following: Intelligent Transportation Society (ITS) of America

Board of Directors; Chair, Western Road Usage Charge (WRUCC) Board of Directors;

Transportation Research Board (TRB) Executive Committee; Strategic Highway

Research Program 2 (SHRP II) Oversight Committee; American Association of State

Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Board of Directors; Chair, AASHTO

Sub-Committee on Construction; Past President of the Western Association of State

Highway and Transportation Officials (WASHTO); California Toll Bridge Program

Oversight Committee (TBPOC); California Public Works Board; and American Heart

Association and Stroke Association Sacramento Region Board of Directors

Before he came to Caltrans, Director Dougherty worked for a consultant with a focus on land development and municipal engineering. He is a graduate of Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He and his wife Linda have three children.


CALIFORNIA

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Shailen P. BhattExecutive Director

Colorado Department of Transportation

Shailen P. Bhatt serves as the Executive Director for the Colorado Depart-ment of Transportation (CDOT), where he is charged with leading the department in planning for and addressing Colorado’s transportation needs. Bhatt oversees 3,300 employees statewide and an annual budget of ap-proximately $1.4 billion, guiding an organization committed to becoming the best DOT in the country for all our customers. During his tenure CDOT has launched the Road X program which is focused on deploying innova-tive technology solutions such as connected vehicles and teaming with the private sector to shape our transportation future.

Prior to this appointment, Bhatt served as the Cabinet Secretary for the Delaware Department of Transportation, where he directed nearly a billion dollar budget and 2,800 employees. During his tenure, he led the agency response to two hurricanes, introduced performance management to the agency, and reduced agency debt by 30 percent while delivering $2 billion in infrastructure improvements. He was also responsible for the Delaware Transit Corporation and the DMV.

Bhatt also plays a leadership role in transportation issues for the United States. Bhatt currently serves on the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Board of Directors and chairs the AASHTO Subcommittee on Transportation Systems Management and Operations (STSMO). He serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE). In addition, Bhatt is a member of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Agenda Council on the Future of Automotive and Personal Transport. Previously, he served as the Chair of the Executive Committee of the I-95 Corridor Coalition, Diamond State Port Corporation, Board of Directors, and is a former Commissioner for the Northeast Corridor Commission.

Bhatt graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Western Kentucky University. He has a wonderful wife and two beauti-ful daughters.


COLORADO

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James P. RedekerCommissioner

Connecticut Department of Transportation

James Redeker was named Commissioner of the Connecticut Depart-ment of Transportation by Governor Dannel P. Malloy on August 25, 2011.

He is responsible for overseeing the statewide system of highway opera-tions and maintenance, capital project design and construction and public transportation. Redeker serves on the board of the Connecticut Airport Authority, which is responsible for Bradley International Airport and the five general aviation airports and the Connecticut Port Authority. He also serves on the board of the Capital Region Development Authority. He rep-resents Connecticut and chairs the Northeast Corridor Commission that has responsibility for the creation and implementation of a short-term and long-term, regional investment strategy for the Northeast Corridor.

Redeker joined CTDOT in 2009 after a 30-year career with NJ TRANSIT.

Redeker received a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Science in 1977 and a Master’s in Civil Engineering in 1980 from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.


CONNECTICUT

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Jennifer L. CohanSecretary

Delaware Department of Transportation

Jennifer Cohan was appointed in January 2015 to be only the third woman to lead the Delaware Department of Transportation after serving as the Director of the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles since 2007. Her state public service career has spanned over 25 years. She has worked in the capacity of Financial/Program Manager at the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) managing the state’s Clean Water Program. Cohan has also worked with the Delaware State Legisla-ture within the Office of the Controller General. She has also held an array of leadership positions within the Delaware Department of Transportation in the areas of Planning, Finance, and Motor Carrier Safety. Cohan is an adjunct professor at Wilmington University, teaching leadership and public policy in the Master’s program. She is the president of the Greater Dover Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors.

Cohan currently serves as a member of the AASHTO Board of Directors, and serves as the Chair of the I-95 Corridor Coalition’s Executive Board, the Diamond State Port Corporation Board of Directors, the Northeast Corridor Commission, the Northeast Association of State Transporta-tion Officials, Transportation and Climate Initiative, and Transportation Research Board Executive Committee and is an executive member of the National Transportation Research Board.

Cohan graduated summa cum laude from Wilmington University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of Science in Public Administration. She also attended the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania.


DELAWARE

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Leif DormsjoDirector

District of Columbia Department of Transportation

Leif A. Dormsjo was appointed Director of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) by Mayor Muriel Bowser in January 2015.

During his tenure at DDOT, Director Dormsjo has successfully launched the first streetcar line in the District in 50 years, led the interagency Vision Zero safety initiative to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries by 2024, and implemented “TranStat,” a performance reporting and process im-provements program using a data-driven approach.

DDOT is responsible for the design, engineering, and construction of roadways, bridges, traffic signals, public space regulation, urban forestry, streetlights, and parking meters in the District. Other programs include Capital Bikeshare and DC Circulator. DDOT’s annual budget is over $500 million and the agency employs more than 900 people.

Dormsjo also represents the District of Columbia on the Washington Met-ropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Board of Directors.

Prior to DDOT, Dormsjo was Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Depart-ment of Transportation. The 10,000-employee agency has an annual budget of $4.8 billion with responsibilities for the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Port of Baltimore, Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, and an extensive mass transit and highway network.

Dormsjo also served as senior advisor and Chief of Staff to the Maryland Transportation Secretary. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University and a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, with a concentration in transportation policy and urban affairs.


DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

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Jim BoxoldSecretary

Florida Department of Transportation

Jim Boxold was named Secretary of the Florida Department of Transporta-tion (FDOT) by Governor Rick Scott in December 2014. As Secretary, he is focused on improving the transportation network to benefit residents, visitors, and Florida’s economic growth.

Under Governor Scott, the state has significantly increased its transportation investments, providing the largest work program in the department’s 100-year history two years in a row. These investments are paying off. Florida’s transportation infrastructure is consistently ranked among the best in the country by the U.S. Chamber Foundation.

Boxold has challenged FDOT employees to build on that success by empha-sizing innovation, continuing to seek ways to be more efficient in its opera-tions and leveraging Florida’s exceptional position to improve the state’s transportation system even more.

A Florida native, Boxold graduated from The George Washington Uni-versity.


FLORIDA

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Russell R. McMurry, P.E.Commissioner

Georgia Department of Transportation

Russell McMurry was appointed Commissioner of the Georgia Depart-ment of Transportation by a unanimous vote of the State Transportation Board on January 20, 2015.

Prior to being named Commissioner, McMurry was appointed by Gover-nor Nathan Deal as Planning Director. He had served as Chief Engineer since January 1, 2013, where he was responsible for the Divisions of Engineering, Construction, Operations, Intermodal, P3/Innovative and Program Delivery, as well as the Offices of Organizational Performance Management and Engineering Services. He previously served as the Divi-sion Director of Engineering.

McMurry began his career with the Georgia Department of Transportation in 1990, as an engineering trainee, and has served in a variety of roles throughout his career. His experience ranges from serving as Construction Project Manager to District Engineer for five years. At the State level, he served as State Roadway Design Engineer, while also serving in a joint role as the Assistant Division Director of Engineering.

McMurry is a cum laude graduate of Georgia Southern University and is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Georgia.


GEORGIA

20

Ford N. FuchigamiDirector

Hawaii Department of Transportation

Ford Fuchigami is the Director of the Hawaii Department of Transporta-tion and oversees 15 commercial and general aviation airports, 10 com-mercial harbors, and nearly 2,500 lane miles of state highways. He began his tenure with the Department of Transportation as the Airports Division Deputy Director, appointed by Governor Neil Abercrombie in January of 2011, until being named Interim Director in May 2014. He oversees Ha-waii’s airport, harbor, and highway systems with the help of a dedicated team of approximately 2,400 employees. His mission, and that of the department, is the development and improvement of our transportation systems to facilitate safe and efficient travel and commerce statewide.

Among his key responsibilities is oversight of numerous moderniza-tion and facility improvement projects representing billions of dollars in construction. As chief executive of the department, he collaborates with major stakeholders and partners, including the FAA, TSA, FHWA, MARAD, Customs & Border Protection, the legislature, county partners, and numerous airline, harbor, and highway user organizations, among many others, on behalf of the state.

Ford has an extensive background in the hospitality industry. He is a vision-ary leader and views his employees, the various government agencies, and the public as partners in improving our transportation systems for our future.


HAWAII

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Brian W. Ness, P.E.Director

Idaho Transportation Department

A life-long transportation professional, Brian Ness became Director of the Idaho Transportation Department in 2010. He is responsible for an annual budget of around $700 million and provides leadership for 1,700 employees.

Ness is President of the Western Association of State Highway Transporta-tion Officials (WASHTO). In this position, he serves as a regional represen-tative to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) Executive Committee. Ness chairs AASHTO’s Special Committee on Transportation Security and Emergency Management (SCOTSEM) and the Highway Transport Committee of the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

A nationally recognized authority on organizational realignment, he speaks regularly about how to structure a more effective and accountable state government. Through his leadership with SCOTSEM, Ness also has become renowned for applying his organizational model to emergency management and security by completely reshaping SCOTSEM’s strategic plan. In 2013, the Idaho Transportation Department was presented the AASHTO President’s Award for Administration for the results of its realign-ment efforts.

Brian was honored in 2012 as the Treasure Valley Women in Transporta-tion Leader of the Year and was distinguished at the 2014 Trine University (formerly Tri-State) Alumni of the Year and is an Alum and now regular presenter for the AASHTO National Transportation Leadership Institute.

Before assuming his position at ITD, Brian held a variety of positions rang-ing from research, operations, aeronautics, along with construction and project development for 30 years at the Michigan Department of Trans-portation. Ness earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Tri-State University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Western Michigan University.


IDAHO

22

Randall S BlankenhornSecretary

Illinois Department of Transportation

Randall S. Blankenhorn was appointed Illinois Transportation Secretary by Governor Bruce Rauner in January 2015. As head of the Illinois Depart-ment of Transportation (IDOT), he leads an agency of 10 offices that serve the transportation needs of Illinois across multiple modes, in rural, subur-ban and urban environments. At IDOT, Blankenhorn oversees a $2.8 billion operating budget that supports a work force of 5,200 employees, with annual oversight of more than $3.2 billion in capital projects.

Prior to his appointment, Blankenhorn was the executive director of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), leading that agency since its inception in 2006. At CMAP, Blankenhorn oversaw transporta-tion, land use, housing, economic development, environmental, and other quality-of-life issues in the seven-county region of Northeastern Illinois.

Under his leadership, CMAP implemented GO TO 2040, the first truly comprehensive regional plan for the Chicago metropolitan area in more than a century. He worked closely with 284 municipalities and scores of stakeholder groups to put into action the plan’s strategies for aligning pub-lic policies and investments, seeking to maximize the benefit of the scarce resources in a region anticipated to add two million new residents over the next three decades.

Prior to CMAP, Blankenhorn served in a number of key positions in both the policy and planning divisions at IDOT, eventually rising to the Bureau Chief of Urban Program Planning, coordinating the activities of the state’s 14 Metropolitan Planning Organizations. Blankenhorn was the point per-son for planning on a number of major infrastructure projects throughout Illinois, including the south extension of Interstate 355 in Will County, the new Mississippi River Bridge in Metro East, and the proposed South Subur-ban Airport in Chicago’s south suburbs.


ILLINOIS

23

Brandye L. HendricksonCommissioner

Indiana Department of Transportation

Brandye L. Hendrickson was appointed Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) on April 22, 2015 by Governor Mike Pence.

As leader of INDOT, Hendrickson oversees all aspects of one of the state’s largest agencies. INDOT employs over 3,400 people and is responsible for a state highway system that includes over 28,400 total roadway lane miles and 5,300 bridges. INDOT has a $400 million annual operating budget and an annual construction budget in excess of $1 billion.

Hendrickson has more than 16 years of progressively responsible business experience, including more than 10 years at the executive level. She has a proven record of success in a variety of challenging roles, including both human resources and operations and a strong ability to drive results, iden-tify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency, and assemble and develop teams to deliver quality outcomes.

From 2007–2015, Hendrickson served as Deputy Commissioner of INDOT’s Greenfield District, which is the largest transportation district in Indiana. In this role, she managed an annual construction budget of ap-proximately $250 million and an annual operating budget of $48 million. Hendrickson oversaw a workforce of approximately 400 employees, who were responsible for the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of INDOT’s transportation infrastructure within the district.

Hendrickson holds a bachelor of arts from Indiana University. In 2001, she achieved Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute-Society for Human Resources Management.


INDIANA

24

IOWA

Paul Trombino IIIDirector

Iowa Department of Transportation

Paul Trombino III was appointed director of the Iowa Department of Transportation May 9, 2011.

As Director of the Iowa Department of Transportation, Trombino oversees an agency responsible for the planning, design, construction, and opera-tions of 9,400 miles of highways, 4,300 bridges; the modal programs of transit, rail, air, and en¬hancements; motor vehicle services which includes driver and vehicle services; and motor carrier services and enforcement. The agency is comprised of 2,700 employees and expends $1.2 billion in transportation investments annually.

Trombino currently is the 2015–2016 President of the American Associa-tion of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO); is a member of AASHTO Executive Committee; Chair of the AASHTO Subcommittee on Transportation Communication; is the 2016 Vice-Chair of the Transporta-tion Research Board Executive Committee; and active in the State Strategic Transportation Initiatives (SSTI) group.

Prior to this position, Trombino worked at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) for 17 years. At WisDOT, he held several positions, serving as regional operations director of the highway division; director of the bureau of transit, local roads, rails and harbors; director of the bureau of statewide structures; and manager of highway bid lettings. Before coming to WisDOT, Trombino spent four years in the finance and banking industry in Chicago and Washington, DC.

Trombino holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He is a licensed professional engineer in the states of Iowa and Wisconsin.


25

Richard CarlsonInterim Secretary

Kansas Department of Transportation

Former legislator Richard Carlson was named Interim Secretary of Transportation and Director of the Kansas Turnpike Authority by Gov. Sam Brownback effective July 15, 2016. The St. Marys native had been Legisla-tive Liaison and Tax Policy Adviser for the Kansas Department of Revenue since December 2014.

Carlson served in the Kansas House of Representatives for 10 years begin-ning in 2004, representing the 61st District of Pottawatomie County and northern Wabaunsee County. He was Chairman of the House Taxation Committee for six years and also a member of the Appropriations Com-mittee and Commerce and Labor Committee. He was a Pottawatomie County Commissioner for 12 years before being elected to the Legislature.

Carlson has worked in real estate and banking, as well as franchise devel-opment and investment for Burger King restaurants. He was active in the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America, serving as president, vice president, and a member of the national board of directors.

An economics and business graduate of Kansas State University, Secretary Carlson served in the Kansas Army National Guard and is a graduate of the Kansas Leadership program. He also served on the board of the Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program.

Carlson and his wife, Cheryl, live on a ranch near St. Marys. They have two sons and six grandchildren.


KANSAS

26

Greg ThomasSecretary

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

Greg Thomas joins the cabinet after spending nearly 33 years in the electric and natural gas industry.

Thomas began his career in the industry as a technical engineer for Ken-tucky Utilities (KU). Over the years, he has held many diverse positions in the electric distribution sector, including customer service engineer, field operations coordinator, division engineer, district manager, division vice president, regional general manager, and director of Distribution Opera-tions and Energy Delivery.

At Louisville Gas and Electric (LG&E), Thomas was responsible for the safe, reliable, and strategic operation of the statewide electric distribution sys-tem and related regulatory and compliance functions. His responsibilities included overseeing the installation of service for new customers; enhanc-ing, maintaining and operating the electric network; system restoration and mutual assistance efforts; substation construction and maintenance; and vehicle fleet operation and the federal Department of Transportation compliance.

Thomas has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee. He is a member of the Edison Electric Institute Operations Group. Thomas serves on the American Gas Association Executive Council, the Southern Gas Association Executive Committee and the board of the American Red Cross.

Thomas is a graduate of Leadership Kentucky and is a volunteer for Project Warm, the WHAS Crusade for Children and Metro United Way. He lives in Louisville with his wife, LuAnn. He has two sons, Will and Gus.


KENTUCKY

27

Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D.Secretary

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

Shawn Wilson For the past 10 years, Shawn Wilson has served as Chief of Staff for the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), a role he filled for three previous Secretaries and under the executive admin-istration of two Governors. Prior to joining DOTD, Wilson also served as former Executive Director of the Louisiana Serve Commission and Deputy Legislative Director in the Blanco Administration.

A proud product of the New Orleans public schools, Wilson earned a B.A. in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Louisiana, where he served as Student Government President and Member of the University of Louisiana System Board. He holds a Master of Public Administration de-gree and recently earned a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy/and Urban Affairs at Southern University.

Shawn’s community service covers a variety of personal and professional interests, including Scoutmaster for Troop 271 Boy Scouts of America in Lafayette, Evangeline Area Council of Boy Scouts Board, and American As-sociations of State Highway and Transportation Officials. His former Board memberships include Past President of the University of Louisiana Alumni Association, the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, United Way of Acadiana, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Wilson and his wife, Rocki, met and reside in Lafayette; together they have two children, college senior Shawn Denise (21) and Star Scout Josh-ua Bakari (13). The Wilsons are members of Progressive Baptist Church.


LOUISIANA

28

David Bernhardt, P.E.Commissioner

Maine Department of Transportation

David B. Bernhardt was appointed to be Maine’s Commissioner of Trans-portation by Governor Paul LePage, and was sworn into office in February 2011. Bernhardt joined the Maine Department of Transportation in 1984 and has held several positions at the department over the years.

Immediately prior to his job as Commissioner, he was MaineDOT’s Director of Engineering and Operations. His duties in that role included tackling difficult or recurring engineering, technical, and operational challenges, and recommending solutions based on engineering and operational ex-perience, and transportation-system measures. As Director of Engineering and Operations, he also managed MaineDOT’s line units, the Bureau of Project Development, the Bureau of Maintenance and Operations, and the Environmental Office.

Bernhardt previously served as MaineDOT’s Director of Maintenance and Operations for more than four years, during which time he implemented a number of cost- and efficiency-gaining initiatives.

Bernhardt currently is the 2015–2016 Vice President of the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO).

He is a 1984 graduate of the University of Maine at Orono, where he earned associate and bachelor of science degrees in civil engineering. He is a registered professional engineer, and he is an active participant on national and state committees involved in transportation issues.

He lives in Vassalboro, Maine, with his wife, Carmen. He has two daugh-ters and a son.


MAINE

29

Pete K. RahnSecretary

Maryland Department of Transportation

Pete K. Rahn was appointed Secretary of the Maryland Department of Trans-portation (MDOT) by Governor Larry Hogan on January 21, 2015. He is the first person to have led transportation departments in three states. As Trans-portation Secretary, Rahn oversees a $4.9 billion annual budget (FY 2016) and leads 11,037 employees. MDOT has direct supervision of all aspects of transportation, including the state’s highway, transit and rail networks; toll fa-cilities; motor vehicles; Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport; and the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore.

Prior to his appointment, Rahn was chairman of the New Mexico State Transportation Commission from 2011 to 2015. He served as Director of the Missouri Department of Transportation from 2004 to 2010, when he joined the Kansas City, Missouri-based HNTB construction engineering firm. He was Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department from 1995 to 2002. As a transportation leader in New Mexico and Missouri, he managed billions of dollars in multi-modal transportation investments—from highways and transit to airports and freight rail—to cre-ate jobs and enhance economic development, while focusing on innovation, teamwork, accountability, and enhanced communication.

At the national level, Rahn was President of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) from 2007 to 2008. He also has served as a member of AASHTO’s Board of Directors, Chairman of its Standing Committee on Performance Management and Chairman of its Standing Committee on Highway Traffic Safety. From 2006 to 2010, he served on the Executive Committee of the Transportation Research Board. Since 2015, he has been vice president of the Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials (NASTO).

Rahn received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and a Bachelor of Sci-ence degree in Planning from New Mexico State University.

Rahn was raised in New Mexico and now resides in Maryland. He and his wife, Sue, have two children.


MARYLAND

30

MASSACHUSETTS

Stephanie PollackSecretary and CEO

Massachusetts Department of Transportation

Governor Charlie Baker appointed Stephanie Pollack MassDOT Secretary and Chief Executive Officer on January 13, 2015. Pollack leads the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, whose mission is to find better ways to meet the state’s transportation needs, serve customers, spur the Commonwealth’s economy, and reduce the state’s carbon footprint.

Pollack has worked on transportation policy, finance, and equity as Associate Director for Research at the Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern University since 2005, where she has also served as an adjunct professor sharing her skills and experience with the next generation of public policy leaders. Pollack has also provided over a decade of strategic consulting on transportation issues to the public and private sectors including the Boston Transportation Department and Massachusetts Port Authority, following a distinguished career at the Con-servation Law Foundation in Boston. She has been active in public policy issues affecting transportation, development ,and sustainability nationally and locally, serving on numerous boards and advisory bodies including MassDOT’s Transportation Advisory Committee and chairing the Transporta-tion Advisory Committee in her hometown of Newton.

Pollack received both a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering and a bachelor of science in public policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a juris doctorate from Harvard Law School, in 1982 and 1985, respectively.


31

MICHIGAN

Kirk T. Steudle, P.E.Director

Michigan Department of Transportation

Kirk T. Steudle began his career with the Michigan Department of Transporta-tion (MDOT) in 1987. On January 1, 2011, Governor Rick Snyder appointed him as the State Transportation Director. Steudle also served as the State Trans-portation Director from 2006–2010. He oversees MDOT’s over $4 billion budget, and is responsible for the department’s multimodal transpor-tation program including construction, maintenance, and operation of nearly 10,000 miles of state highways and more than 4,000 state highway bridges at a department with 2,500 employees.

Steudle was the 2014 Chair of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Execu-tive Committee and the 2011–2012 President of the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO). He also chaired the Stra-tegic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) Oversight Committee for TRB. He is a national leader in the development of Connected Vehicle Technologies, and was the 2014–2015 Chair for the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) Board of Directors. Steudle also is a member of the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Program Advisory Committee to the U.S. Depart-ment of Transportation.

In 2015, Steudle was named one of America’s Top 25 Government Innovators by Government Technology. He also received the Institute of Traffic Engineers Theodore M. Matson award, the American Society of Civil Engineers 2015 Out-standing Public Official award and the Transportation Research Board’s 2015 W.N. Carey, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. He received the Felix A. Anderson Image Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Michigan in 2013, and he was inducted into LTU’s Engineering Hall of Fame in 2012. Steudle is the recipient of the 2011 P.D. McLean Award from the Road Gang for excellence in highway transportation, and in 2010 he received the prestigious Thomas H. MacDonald award from AASHTO.

Steudle is a lifelong resident of Michigan, a professional engineer, and a gradu-ate of LTU, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Engineering, and serves on the College of Engineering Advisory Board.


32

Charles A. ZelleCommissioner

Minnesota Department of Transportation

Charles A. Zelle was appointed Commissioner of the Minnesota Depart-ment of Transportation on December 15, 2012, by Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and began on January 15, 2013.

Zelle came to MnDOT from Jefferson Lines, an intercity bus company with routes in 13 heartland states from Minnesota to Texas. He worked there for more than 20 years, and served as President and Chief Executive Officer. Currently he is the Chair of the Jefferson Lines Board of Directors, although he is no longer an employee with any management authority. In 2012, Zelle served on the Governor’s Transportation Finance Advisory Committee.

Zelle’s current community and civic activities include: Member of the Partnership for Regional Opportunities; Chair of the Board of the Jerome Foundation; Member of the Working Group of the Itasca Project; Member of the Board of Directors of the Guthrie Theater; Member of the Executive Committee of the University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Stud-ies; and Member of the Board of Directors of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. He is also currently President of the Board of Directors of the Mid-America Association of State Transporta-tion Officials (MAASTO). Zelle’s past community and civic activities included being the Chair/President of the Boards of the following organizations: Minneapolis Club, Guthrie Theater, Meet Minneapolis, Minneapolis Re-gional Chamber of Commerce, American Bus Association and Itasca Project Transportation Initiative and St. Paul Academy.

He has been recognized for his work in transportation policy as a recipient of the George Rucker Award by the Community Transportation Association in 2009 and the Ray L. Lappegaard Distinguished Service Award by Center for Transportation Studies in 2012.

Born and raised in St. Paul, Zelle received a B.A. from Bates College and an MBA from the Yale School of Management.


MINNESOTA

33

Melinda L. McGrath, P.E.Executive Director

Mississippi Department of Transportation

The Mississippi Transportation Commission appointed Melinda McGrath as Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) in January 2012. McGrath manages a $1 billion dollar budget, 3,400 employees, and the state’s transportation system, which includes highways, railroads, transits, ports, waterways, and airports. During her 25-year career at MDOT, McGrath has held various jobs ranging from Project Engineer to Chief Engineer to Interim Executive Director.

McGrath also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the MSU Bagley College of Engineering and the Mississippi Multi-Modal Council, and holds professional memberships with the Mississippi Asphalt Pavement Associa-tion, Mississippi Road Builders Association, and the Mississippi Engineering Society.

On the national level, McGrath is a member of the AASHTO Board of Di-rectors, the AASHTO–AGC–ARTBA Joint Committee, NCHRP Project Panel 20-24, and Rural Roads Technical Committee for PIARC.

She earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Mis-sissippi State University (MSU), and in January 2013 was recognized as a Distinguished Fellow by the MSU Bagley College of Engineering.


MISSISSIPPI

34

Patrick K. McKennaDirector

Missouri Department of Transportation

Patrick McKenna became director of the Missouri Department of Trans-portation (MoDOT) on December 7, 2015.

McKenna came to MoDOT after serving as the deputy commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT). In his role as deputy commissioner, McKenna served as the chief financial, operating, and legislative officers for the organization.

During his time in New Hampshire, McKenna worked to help the depart-ment achieve cost-savings for reimbursable federal funds for NHDOT projects. The billing system upgrade was honored by Gov. Maggie Hassan in 2013 with an “Extraordinary State Service Award.”

McKenna also restructured the department and turnpike system’s debt and secured innovative short duration GARVEE financing and rural TIFIA program loans, saving New Hampshire taxpayers more than $1 billion in interest costs.

Since his arrival in Missouri, he has been busy assessing the capital plan and operating needs of the nation’s seventh largest transportation system. He has also been traveling throughout the state meeting stakeholders and working on building relationships.

McKenna has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Finance from Bentley University and a Master’s of Science in Management and Finance from the University of Maryland University College. He also served as Vice President of Finance/CFO of Child and Family Services of New Hampshire. McKenna spent 13 years in Washington, DC, working in the United States Senate, where he served as chief financial officer from 1998 to 2001.

McKenna and his wife have three children.


MISSOURI

35

Michael T. TooleyDirector

Montana Department of Transportation

Michael Tooley, Director of the Montana Department of Transporta-tion (MDT), was appointed in December 2012. He leads a team of over 2,200 employees, who manage the department’s responsibilities related to Montana’s highway system, public transportation, rail service, and aviation services. His vision of unity, transparency, and effectiveness has allowed MDT to see things differently and as a result create effective new opportu-nities to provide services to Montana communities.

Tooley serves as the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative for National Highway Traffic Safety Programs. He is a champion for traffic safety and is committed to leading “Vision Zero,” a multipronged initia-tive forward with the ultimate goal of eliminating deaths and injuries on Montana highways. Vision Zero focuses on four emphasis areas: educa-tion, enforcement, engineering, and emergency medical response. He also serves on the AASHTO Standing Committee on Highway Traffic Safety and the Reauthorization Steering Committees.

Tooley holds a B.S. in public safety administration from Grand Canyon University and was a member of Harvard University’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government Class of 2006. He is a 2008 graduate of the FBI National Academy and retired as Colonel and Chief of the Montana Highway Patrol in 2012.

Phone (406) 444-6201

E-mail [email protected]

MONTANA

36

Kyle Schneweis, P.E.Director

Nebraska Department of Roads

Kyle Schneweis was appointed by Governor Pete Ricketts to serve as the Director of the Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) in May 2015. In that position, Schneweis leads the agency’s more than 2,100 employees in planning for and addressing Nebraska’s transportation needs.

Prior to his appointment with NDOR, Schneweis was a partner at an industry-leading transportation policy and financial consulting firm where he provided strategic planning and performance management expertise to more than 25 national, state, and local clients. He also has significant experience in the public sector, having served at the Kansas Department of Transportation, where he played an instrumental role in developing and winning legislative approval for the state’s $8.2 billion transportation investment program.

This balance of private- and public-sector experience allows Schneweis to bring a unique perspective to NDOR. His customer-focused and data-driv-en approach emphasizes transparency and stakeholder engagement and he understands the critical role strategic transportation investments can play in strengthening Nebraska’s economy.

He earned his civil engineering degree from the University of North Da-kota and is a licensed professional engineer. He and his wife, Laurel, are parents to two toddler boys, Mazlo and Karver.


NEBRASKA

37

Rudy Malfabon, P.E.Director

Nevada Department of Transportation

Rudy Malfabon was appointed to the position of Director of the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) in September 2012 and oversees a department of over 1,750 employees with an annual budget of $650 million. He was appointed chairman of the AASHTO Standing Commit-tee on Highway Traffic Safety in 2013 and also serves as chairman of the SHRP2 Safety Task Force. He has worked over 27 years for NDOT, starting his career in the field of construction. He previously held the position of Deputy Director for Southern Nevada for nine years, a position approved by the Nevada State Legislature in 2003.

In 1984, Malfabon began his career at NDOT as a construction inspector on the Flamingo Road interchange at I-15 in Las Vegas. He held various positions in construction in Las Vegas until he moved to Carson City in 1991, where he held the titles of Assistant Construction Engineer and Chief Construction Engineer. In 1998, he accepted the position of State Construction Engineer for the Washington State Department of Transpor-tation. After being recruited by Jacobs Engineering in Las Vegas in 2000, he worked three years as the manager of Jacobs’ construction manage-ment services in Nevada.

Malfabon is a graduate civil engineer from the University of Nevada, Reno, and is a registered professional engineer in the states of Nevada and Washington. He resides in Carson City.


NEVADA

38

Victoria F. SheehanCommissioner

New Hampshire Department of Transportation

Sworn in as the Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) on October 19, 2015, Victoria Sheehan over-sees a $650 million state agency of over 1,600 employees dedicated to providing safe and efficient transportation systems.

Sheehan brings both transportation engineering and management experi-ence in projects and programs to her role as Commissioner. In her years as a dedicated public employee, she has worked as a resident engineer in bridge maintenance and as a project manager with a record of delivering contracts on-time and on-budget. She has extensive experience in asset and performance management.

In her previous position as Manager of Strategic Planning and Highway Performance at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), Sheehan was responsible for the Highway Division’s $5 billion capital plan and annual $600 million operating budget. While at Mass-DOT, she also served as the Program Manager for the state’s recently completed $3 billion Accelerated Bridge Program.

Sheehan is originally from Ireland, and has a Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering and Architecture from the University of Edinburgh. In her free time, she also serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for Camp Wanakee in Meredith, New Hampshire.

She lives in Nashua, New Hampshire with her husband, Sean.


NEW HAMPSHIRE

39

Richard T. HammerActing Commissioner

New Jersey Department of Transportation

Richard T. Hammer was appointed Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation on October 30, 2015. Prior to his ap-pointment, Hammer led the Department’s Capital Program Management (CPM) organization as Assistant Commissioner since March 2006. In this capacity, he was responsible for delivering the annual Capital Program, as well as managing a workforce of about 1,100 employees throughout six Divisions—Right of Way and Access Management; Project Management; Capital Program Support; Highway and Traffic Design; Bridge Engineering and Infrastructure Management; and Construction Services and Materials.

He began his career with the department in May 1982 upon graduation from Rutgers University, College of Engineering with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. His 33+ year career includes 14 years with the Bureau of Structural Evaluation in the former Division of Bridge Design and 10 years in the Division of Project Management, where he served as a Pro-gram Manager overseeing major statewide bridge projects and ultimately as Division Director. Under his leadership as Assistant Commissioner, the department has delivered record-breaking capital programs each fiscal year.

Hammer, with his focus on creating a solution-oriented environment, im-plemented a comprehensive restructuring of CPM to deal with a decreasing workforce and to better utilize the expertise and creativity of staff. Empha-sizing purpose and need, with a “smart solutions” philosophy, his goal is to achieve an efficient project delivery system that maximizes the construction value of every transportation dollar. Towards this end, New Jersey has been recognized as a national leader in value engineered savings.

He has received numerous accolades from both the engineering and con-struction industries, most notably being named New Jersey ASCE “Government Engineer of the Year” in 2007 by the American Society of Civil Engineers.


NEW JERSEY

40

Tom ChurchCabinet Secretary

New Mexico Department of Transportation

Tom Church was appointed Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Depart-ment of Transportation (NMDOT) by Governor Susana Martinez in 2012 and was unanimously reconfirmed by the New Mexico State Senate in 2015. He has dedicated his career in public service to the NMDOT for over two decades. He has served in a variety of leadership roles within the department prior to his appointment as cabinet secretary. Church has focused the department on performance results and customer service.

As secretary, Church has strengthened NMDOTs commitment to traffic safety, environmental excellence, and complete planning, design, con-struction, and maintenance services to maximize the limited resources for transportation. He oversees an $850 million budget while being respon-sible for over 30,000 highway miles in a largely rural state. Church is also responsible for the management of more than 2,500 NMDOT team mem-bers throughout the state, who are responsive to the safety needs of the people and the betterment of the transportation system in New Mexico.


NEW MEXICO

41

Matthew J. Driscoll Commissioner

New York State Department of Transportation

Matthew J. Driscoll was appointed the 12th Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) on July 2, 2015 by Governor Andrew Cuomo. Driscoll leads a department of 8,300 employ-ees with an annual capital program of $4.4 billion.

With the understanding a sound transportation system is essential to economic vitality, Governor Cuomo has appointed Driscoll to serve on two critical statewide committees. The Financial Restructuring Board for Local Governments delivers targeted restructuring strategies and long-term solutions to assist New York municipalities under fiscal stress and the Governor’s Strategic Implementation Assessment Team (SIAT) reviews the job creation and economic development efforts of the state’s 10 Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC).

Prior to his tenure with NYSDOT, he served from 2010–2015 as President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC), which provides low-cost financing to local govern-ments for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure. It is the largest and most successful state-revolving loan fund in the nation, managing more than $12 billion in assets.

From 2001 through 2009, Driscoll served as the 52nd Mayor of the City of Syracuse. Elected to two terms, his tenure in office was distinguished by his environmental and sustainability initiatives. As Mayor, Driscoll’s action plan for energy conservation, sustainability initiatives, and environmental protection efforts earned Syracuse the title of “The Emerald City” and recognition by Popular Science Magazine as one of the nation’s greenest cities (ranked #17).


NEW YORK

42

Nicholas J. TennysonSecretary

North Carolina Department of Transportation

Nick Tennyson was named as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) in August 2015.

Prior to assuming this role, Tennyson served as the department’s Chief Deputy Secretary, responsible for providing oversight and integration across all operational and support functions of the North Carolina Department of Transportation. He also served for three months as interim commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Tennyson is the former mayor of Durham, a role he held from 1997–2001. During that time, he co-founded the Metropolitan Coalition of Mayors with Governor Pat McCrory, then mayor of Charlotte. While serving as mayor, Tennyson was vice-chair of the Metropolitan Planning Organiza-tion for his region, which provided him the opportunity to learn about the NCDOT and federal transportation planning process.

Tennyson also served as an officer in the Navy before beginning a career as a home builder and developer. In the late 1980s, he transitioned to work with trade associations, such as the Greater Durham Chamber of Com-merce. Prior to joining NCDOT, he was executive vice-president for the Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties.

Tennyson has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Duke University and Master of Arts in Human Resources Management from Pepperdine University.


NORTH CAROLINA

43

Grant Levi, P.E.Director

North Dakota Department of Transportation

Grant Levi was appointed director of the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) in May 2013 by Governor Jack Dalrymple. As di-rector, he is responsible for the daily operations of the department which has a $2.6 billion biennial budget and provides quality services for motor vehicle, driver’s license, operation, construction, and maintenance of the state’s highways.

He had served as NDDOT’s Deputy Director for Engineering since 1999, overseeing several programs including operations, transportation, project development, planning, pre-construction, construction, and maintenance. He has worked for the NDDOT since 1980, holding positions in the Valley City District, the Fargo District, and at the Central Office in Bismarck.

Levi earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University in 1982. He is a Professional Engineer trained in planning, programming, pre-construction, operations, and construction management.


NORTH DAKOTA

44

Jerry WrayDirector

Ohio Department of Transportation

The first head of the agency to be named to the post twice in ODOT’s 100-plus year history, Jerry Wray first served as director under Governor Voinovich from 1991 to 1999. During this time, ODOT improved its proj-ect management, initiated employee suggestion campaigns, and focused on better meeting customer needs. The department also increased its construction program to record levels while reducing operating expenses.

In the 21st Century, Wray and ODOT are committed to maintaining and improving transportation infrastructure through efficient and effective organization and the use of innovative financial tools.

He earned his civil engineering degree from the University of Akron and began his career at ODOT in 1969. He was elected and served as Licking County engineer from 1980 to 1988.

He currently resides in Newark, Ohio with his wife, Eva. They have four grandchildren.


OHIO

45

J. Michael “Mike” PattersonDirector

Oklahoma Department of Transportation

In April 2013, J. Michael “Mike” Patterson was appointed the Executive Director of Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Prior to that appoint-ment, he served as the Deputy Director for the agency for three years as well as filling the role of Chief Financial Officer since September 1999. Prior to this current position, he also served as the Comptroller for the agency for 15 years having begun his career with ODOT as the Deputy Comptroller in 1980. His employment with the state of Oklahoma began in 1977 as the Restitution Accountant for the Department of Corrections.

Patterson has been active with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) for many years serving in several roles. Currently, he serves as the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Finance and Administration (SCOFA) and the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Performance Management (SCOPM).

He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Employees Credit Union. His service with the credit union began in 1983 when he served on the Supervisory Committee until 1991. Since that time, he has served as a member of the Board of Directors as Vice Chairman for four years and Chairman for three years, and currently serves as the Secre-tary/Treasurer.

His education credentials consist of a bachelor of science degree in account-ing from Central State University in 1976 and a masters of business adminis-tration in finance from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1993.

His spare time is devoted to coaching girls fast-pitch softball and flying.


OKLAHOMA

46

Matthew GarrettDirector

Oregon Department of Transportation

As Director of the Oregon Department of Transportation, Matthew Garrett manages an agency of about 4,500 people and a biennial budget of $3.5 billion. He assumed the directorship in December 2005.

Garrett started with ODOT in 1997 as liaison to local government and quickly transitioned to serve as the agency’s chief of staff until June 2003. In that capacity, he supervised the Government Relations Section and the Office of Employee Safety. He had the responsibility for the department’s “external relations” along with providing day-to-day coordination, direc-tion, and management support to the department’s executive manage-ment team.

In June 2003, he assumed duties as the ODOT Region 1 manager (Greater Portland Metropolitan Area), directing a staff of more than six-hundred in the design, development and implementation of complex multi-modal transportation systems for the most densely populated geographic region in the state.

Garrett serves on the AASHTO Board of Directors and is the Chairman of the AASHTO Standing Committee on the Environment. In this capacity he provides leadership in the challenging areas of environmental regula-tion and programmatic streamlining, climate change, and storm water management.

Garrett is a graduate of The George Washington University with a degree in political science.


OREGON

47

Leslie S. RichardsSecretary

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards has extensive leadership experience in the management of transportation projects both in her private sector work in the planning and engineering fields over the past two decades, as well as in her work in local government. Her private and public sector backgrounds give her a unique perspective on understanding stakeholder issues, and on the importance of bringing projects to completion on time and on budget. Secretary Richards is recognized in the public and private sectors for her abil-ity to build consensus in order to find solutions to problems.

In the private sector, Secretary Richards served as a senior project manager at a woman-owned civil engineering firm. In addition, she served as a public involvement specialist at a consulting firm. She has facilitated public meet-ings with residents, business owners, and government officials regarding transportation issues in urban, rural, and suburban communities. As a con-sultant, she received special recognition for minimizing the negative impacts of construction, detours, and road closures on the local business community.

In the public sector, Secretary Richards focused on transportation and plan-ning issues. She served as the vice chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, where she lead the transportation and planning initiatives for the third largest county in the Commonwealth. Under her leadership, the county restructured its road and bridge division resulting in increased efficiencies and $1 million in savings, and adopted an aggressive program to reduce the number of structurally deficient bridges. Secretary Richards is a graduate of Brown University, where she concentrated in economics and ur-ban studies. She received a master’s of regional planning from the University of Pennsylvania. Secretary Richards is a lifelong Pennsylvania resident. She lives with her husband and three children in Montgomery County.


PENNSYLVANIA

48

Miguel Torres-Diaz, P.E.Secretary

Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works

Miguel Torres-Diaz has over 16 years of hands-on experience in con-struction project management as an owner, contractor, and inspector of commercial, residential, heavy civil, marine, and infrastructure project developments.

He has strong experience in the process of planning, preparation, delivery, and execution of construction projects using aggressive approaches for complex traditional, design/build, domestic, and international projects.

Torres-Diaz is a licensed professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. He obtained a master’s in engineering management with a concentration in construction management.


PUERTO RICO

49

Peter Alviti, Jr., P.E.Director

Rhode Island Department of Transportation

Peter Alviti, Jr., joined the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) as its Director in 2015, serving as chief steward of the state’s $400 million surface transportation program.

Alviti brings an extensive background in engineering and public works administration to RIDOT. He most recently served as Director of Programs for the Laborers International Union of North America–New England Laborers’ Health and Safety Fund. Previously, Alviti worked as Director of Public Works for the City of Cranston. While there, he was the lead ne-gotiator on a 25-year Wastewater Facilities Privatization Lease and Service Agreement that saved taxpayers $35 million and provided long-term fee stabilization.

His career history includes experience in civil and environmental engineer-ing, and as principal owner of Hudson Place Associates of Warwick, which performed engineering services for various residential, commercial, indus-trial, and municipal projects in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Director Alviti is a registered professional engineer in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He holds a bachelor of science degree in construction technology from Roger Williams University and a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Northeastern University.

As RIDOT Director, he serves as chairman of the Rhode Island Public Rail Corporation and a board member of the Rhode Island Public Transit Au-thority, the State Planning Council, the State Traffic Commission, and the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority. Additionally, he is a member of the Executive Committee for the Northeast Corridor Commission (NEC).


RHODE ISLAND

50

Christy A. Hall, P.ESecretary of Transportation

South Carolina Department of Transportation

Christy Hall has the honor and privilege as serving as Governor Nikki Haley’s appointment for the Secretary of Transportation, the top leadership posi-tion for the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). In her capacity as Secretary, she is responsible for directing and guiding the agency’s planning, financial, legislative, maintenance, and operational efforts for the nation’s fourth largest state-owned highway system.

Hall rose through the ranks of the agency and has served in a variety of roles in both Headquarters and the Field during her 20+-year career with SCDOT. She has just about done it all at the agency from design, to construction, to maintenance to serving in several different leadership positions on the Finance and Engineering sides of the agency. Hall’s unique and well-rounded experience has served the agency well so far and was on full display during the historic October 2015 floods.

Hall is a South Carolina native, a graduate of Clemson University, and a regis-tered Professional Engineer


SOUTH CAROLINA

51

Darin BergquistSecretary

South Dakota Department of Transportation

Darin Bergquist was named Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Transportation in October 2007. After two years in private law practice, Bergquist began working for state government in 1996 as an Administra-tive Law Judge with the Department of Labor. He joined the Department of Transportation in 1998 as an Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal Counsel and served as the Program Manager for the Right-of-Way Office and Director of Operations before his current appointment.

Bergquist is a graduate of Jamestown College with a degree in business administration. He obtained his juris doctorate from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1993.

He and his wife, Natalie, live in Pierre, South Dakota.


SOUTH DAKOTA

52

John SchroerCommissioner

Tennessee Department of Transportation

John Schroer was appointed Commissioner of Transportation by Gover-nor Bill Haslam in January 2011. He is the 29th commissioner of the state agency that oversees a statewide transportation system including high-ways, rail, airports, waterways, and transit.

During his tenure, Schroer has made safety a priority, creating new programs and initiatives like Quick Clearance, Protect the Queue, and the nation’s first Traffic Incident Management Training Facility.

A former school board member, Commissioner Schroer has continued his commitment to education by implementing Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Reconnect for employees who want to continue their education. The Commissioner says his proudest accomplishment to date has been supporting 173 TDOT employees who went back to school to get their GEDs.

Under Commissioner Schroer, TDOT has remained debt-free and he has saved taxpayers more than $457 million dollars by reexamining and reduc-ing the scope of projects from wants to needs. With current funding chal-lenges, he is focused on the difficult and expensive task of preserving and extending the life of our existing transportation infrastructure.

He serves as the chairman of the prestigious Standing Committee on Finance and Administration of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), an organization composed of peers from all DOTs across the nation.

Schroer received a bachelor’s degree in business from Indiana University and an MBA from the University of Tennessee. He lives in Franklin with his wife, Marianne, and they have three children and one grandson.


TENNESSEE

53

James M. BassExecutive Director

Texas Department of Transportation

James M. Bass serves as executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Previously he oversaw TxDOT’s Finance Division, Toll Operations Division, and Innovative Financing and Debt Management Office.

Bass began his TxDOT career in 1985 working summers in the Fort Worth District. He worked part-time as an engineering aide in the Austin District’s South Travis/Hays County Area Office while earning his bachelor’s degree in accounting at the University of Texas at Austin.

After graduation, Bass began full-time as an accounting clerk in the Finance Division’s Revenue Accounting Section, and later was promoted to budget analyst in the Budget and Forecasting Section.

Since then, Bass has worked extensively on preparation of TxDOT’s Legisla-tive Appropriations Requests, Operating Budgets. and Cash Forecasting System. He also works on the agency’s public–private partnerships and cor-responds with the Legislative Budget Board, State Auditor’s Office, and the Office of the Texas Comptroller.

Bass was selected as finance division director in November 1999, and be-came chief financial officer in 2005. He became executive director in 2016.

He and his wife, Patty, have a son and a daughter.


TEXAS

54

Carlos Braceras, P.E.Executive Director

Utah Department of Transportation

Utah Governor Gary Herbert appointed Carlos Braceras to serve as Utah Department of Transportation executive director on May 6, 2013. Former UDOT Executive Director John Njord appointed Carlos Braceras to deputy director in May 2001. At the time, he was the director of UDOT’s Region 3.

Braceras also worked on the Legacy Parkway/I-15 North Project, where he was responsible for development of the environmental documents, design-build contracts, and construction of both facilities. Since joining UDOT in 1986, Braceras has served as the chief geotechnical engineer, the chief value engineer, and the Region 2 roadway design engineer. In 1998, he was named “State of Utah Governor’s Manager of the Year” and received the “UDOT Leader of the Year” award.

Prior to joining UDOT, Braceras worked as a well-site geologist in the oil and gas exploration and development industry. He received a bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of Vermont and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Utah.

He currently serves as the AASHTO Secretary/Treasurer, Chair of the AASHTO Subcommittee on Design, Chair of the Advisory Board for the Center of Environmental Excellence, member of the Board of Directors, and WASHTO Vice President.


UTAH

55

Chris ColeSecretary

Vermont Agency of Transportation

Chris Cole was appointed Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Transpor-tation (VTrans) in September 2015, after serving as the Deputy Secretary since January, 2015. Previous to this, he served as the Agency’s Director of the Division of Policy, Planning, and Intermodal Development since 2011.

Prior to his work at VTrans, Cole was the General Manager at the Chitten-den County (Vermont) Transportation Authority (CCTA); was employed by the Vermont Legislature as a Fiscal Analyst at the Joint Fiscal Office; and at the New York State Legislature, Office of Program and Counsel, as a Policy Analyst for the Transportation, Education, and Environmental Conservation Committees. Cole attended high school at Vermont Academy in Saxton’s River, Vermont, and college at Ithaca College and SUNY Albany. He has served on the South Hero, Vermont School Board, and the Planning Com-mission in South Burlington, Vermont, as well as on several transportation associations, advisory boards, and non-profit organizations.

Cole is the father of two sons and lives with his wife, Leigh Cole, in Rich-mond, Vermont.


VERMONT

56

Aubrey L. Layne, Jr. Secretary

Commonwealth of Virginia

On November 22, 2013, Governor-Elect Terry McAuliffe appointed Aubrey Layne as Secretary of Transportation for the Commonwealth of Virginia. He was sworn into office on January 12, 2014. As Secretary, Layne oversees seven agencies with over 10,000 employees and combined budgets of more than $5 billion. Prior to his appointment, he represented the Hampton Roads area on the Commonwealth Transportation Board from 2006 until January 2014.

Layne most recently served as President of An Achievable Dream Academy in Newport News, Virginia, a unique partnership between public schools and the local business community providing at-risk students opportunities to succeed.

Prior to joining An Achievable Dream, Layne was President and Principal Broker of Great Atlantic Properties. He joined the company in 1994 and was responsible for operational activities, new business acquisition, and capital improvement strategy. Before joining Great Atlantic, he held vari-ous positions at Hofheimer’s Inc., and ended his tenure there as President. He began his career as a Certified Public Accountant with KPMG.

Layne earned a B.S. in accounting from the University of Richmond, is a Virginia Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and received an MBA from Old Dominion University with a concentration in international business. In 2011, he completed the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute for Political Leaders program.

Layne and his wife, Peggy, live in Virginia Beach.


VIRGINIA

57

Roger MillarActing Secretary

Washington State Department of Transportation

Roger Millar was appointed the Acting Secretary of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) by Governor Jay Inslee in February of 2016. Millar oversees an agency of 6,800 employees, with responsibility for 18,600 lane miles of highway, 3,700 bridges, general aviation airports, passenger and freight rail programs, and the Washing-ton State Ferry system, the nation’s largest.

Millar is a second generation civil engineer with 38 years of experience in the transportation arena. During that time he has worked in construc-tion, design, planning, research, policy development, and management and administration in both the public and private sectors. Prior to joining WSDOT Roger served for five years as vice president of Smart Growth America, a national not-for-profit organization, providing technical assis-tance to state DOTs in Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Tennessee, and Vermont. He also served as Director of the National Complete Streets Coalition.

Millar was elected a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1999. From 2000 to 2014 he served on the ASCE Committee for America’s Infrastructure, which produces the nationally recognized Report Card for America’s Infrastructure.

A graduate of the University of Virginia, Millar is a registered engineer in Washington and five other states. He is a member of the American Insti-tute of Certified Planners and a Certified Floodplain Administrator. Millar has served as President of the Oregon Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers and of the Montana Association of Planners.


WASHINGTON

58

Paul A. Mattox, Jr., P.E.Secretary of Transportation andCommissioner of Highways

West Virginia Department of Transportation

Paul Mattox was appointed Commissioner of Highways in January 2005, and Secretary of Transportation in January 2006. He began his career at the Division of Highways (DOH) as a co-op student in 1979 and worked with the Division of Highways until the fall of 1987. Since leaving DOH, he has worked with Woolpert, E. L. Robinson Engineering Company and RPM Engineers, PLLC. He also has served as president of the West Virginia Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

He has extensive experience in designing and managing public works projects for highways, bridges, water, wastewater systems, and site development. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from West Virginia University Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in Engineering from Marshall University. Mattox is also a graduate of Leadership West Virginia.

He is a registered professional engineer in West Virginia, Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky, Florida, and Alabama, and is also a registered professional land surveyor in West Virginia.

Since 2006, he has successfully managed the DOH, with an annual budget of $1.1 billion, as well as the seven other agencies under the department. Dur-ing his tenure as Secretary, he has overseen the administration of more than $4 billion in construction projects across the state.

He is the appointed Chairman of the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) Standing Committee on Aviation. He sits on the AASHTO Board of Directors, serves as Co-Chair of the AASHTO/Federal Highway Administration/American Council of Engineering Companies Committee, Climate Change Committee, and Strategic Planning Committee and was recently appointed to the Executive Committee.

In 2013, he was honored by Marshall University as the recipient of the Col-lege of Information Technology and Engineering’s Alumni Award of Distinc-tion.

Phone (304) 558-0444E-mail [email protected] WEST VIRGINIA

59

Mark Gottlieb, P.E.Secretary

Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Mark Gottlieb has worked as a professional engineer in the state of Wisconsin for 24 years in various public- and private-sector positions. Gottlieb leads one of the largest state agencies responsible for all modes of transportation, as well as the Division of Motor Vehicles and the Wisconsin State Patrol.

He previously represented the 60th Assembly District in the Wisconsin State Legislature and also served as an alderman and mayor of the city of Port Washington, Wisconsin.

Gottlieb attended the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where he received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering. He is also a U.S. Navy Veteran.


WISCONSIN

60

William T. “Bill” PanosInterim Director

Wyoming Department of Transportation

William T. “Bill” Panos was appointed the 17th Director of Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) in October 2015. Panos came to Wyoming with impressive credentials, drawing from diverse experience he’s gained working in both the private and public sectors over the past 35 years.

He is a native of California and a graduate of the California State Univer-sity where he studied physics and forensic science. His previous work has included engineering and leadership positions with the TRW Corporation, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the State of Washington, and local government. Immediately prior to heading WYDOT, Panos was director of Wyoming’s School Facilities Department for two years.

During his career, his work has intersected with numerous transportation-related functions and issues, including transportation safety, infrastructure development, capital finance and asset management, public policy and regulation, supplier management, multi-site operations, advanced risk as-sessment, and government relations.


WYOMING

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

444 N. Capitol Street, NW, Suite 249, Washington, DC 20001

Phone 202-624-5800 transportation.org

bookstore.transportation.org

CFB-16

Documents

2016 Directory Executive - Transportation