From the Director: Celebrating National Engineers Week

During National Engineers Week, I’m celebrating all of my fellow engineers and the contributions they have made! As I reflect back on my career as an engineer, it’s hard to believe that I’ve worked in the transportation industry for more than 25 years.

I grew up in an environment where it was natural for me to have an interest in science. My mother was a science and math teacher; my father was a petroleum geologist. When I look back, I was never discouraged from pursuing my interests in science. It just took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do.

I like to solve problems and build solutions. That’s why I landed in the field of civil engineering, especially in transportation. 

It’s been such a rewarding career, where I have traveled to places like Mississippi to help with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts or to Austin, Texas, to work on a project when I was employed in the private sector. My career at ADOT has been varied, starting as an engineer-in-training to now serving as the ADOT director. I’ve had so many opportunities to solve problems and build solutions. That’s why I love being an engineer!

If you have family members or friends whose children are interested in science, computers and math, I invite you to have them visit our ADOTKids webpage. Children will learn about the kinds of engineers we have at ADOT. Plus, there are activities and games to spark their curiosity in all things transportation. You never know, the next ADOT director might be your child, niece or nephew.

Whether you work in the public or private sector, this special week recognizes the contributions you make to your communities…solving problems and building solutions. Thank you for all you do to improve the world around you.