Please tell us about your professional
career and how you first got involved with
the Utah Department of Transportation.
I majored in Geology with the goal of being in the
oil and gas business. In 1986, I found an ad for a
rotational engineering program at UDOT. Since
then, I have been involved in different aspects of
the business such as design, pre-construction and
construction, geotech engineering and administration.
What do you find most rewarding about
your career thus far?
The work we do makes people’s lives better—from
access to economic opportunities to saving lives on
our roadways. I am very proud that we are a value-driven organization. Another rewarding part about
my job is the ability to help our employees do more
than they ever realized they could do. My professional
accomplishments are really the accomplishments of
these individuals.
What are your responsibilities and goals as
the Executive Director of UDOT?
I am responsible for fulfilling my department’s
vision of keeping Utah moving. We will accomplish
this by focusing on our three strategic goals: have
zero fatalities, preserve infrastructure and optimize
mobility.
You were recently elected as President
of the American Association of State and
Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
Can you tell us more about this association
and what this position means to you?
AASHTO is a nationwide transportation association
that sets the vision for the nation’s transportation
system and standards. The organization also serves as
the voice for the transportation industry, particularly
when working with the White House and Congress. As
