Tom Warne Report, 8 April 2013
JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has selected Dave Nichols to serve as the director of the Missouri Department of Transportation. Nichols has served as interim MoDOT director since March 21. He has been with the department for more than 29 years. “Dave Nichols has the talent, skills, and experience needed to be a successful leader for MoDOT,” said Commission Chairman Joe Carmichael. “The commission has unanimously agreed that a prolonged search for a new director was unnecessary, as the right person for the job was already here.”
Nichols assumed the interim director position after the resignation of Kevin Keith, who left MoDOT on March 21 for a medical leave of absence. Nichols has held a variety of leadership roles in the department, including his work as chief engineer and as the department’s first director of program delivery. He has also served as district engineer for the department’s Northwest District headquartered in St. Joseph and worked in MoDOT’s Kansas City District.
“The commission has full confidence in Dave’s ability to tackle the significant transportation challenges Missouri is facing,” said Carmichael. “His dedication and innovation will help Missouri maintain its status as a leader in transportation.”
We are sorry to see Kevin Keith go as his leadership and tenacity have been a big part of many of the recent achievements at MoDOT. Over the years Dave Nichols has been a solid leader in the agency and is well qualified to take over the reins. Best wishes to both Dave and Kevin. TW