Missouri DOT Names New CEO, Mississippi DOT CEO Appointed to Serve another Term

AASHTO Journal, 5 April 2013

The Mississippi Senate last week approved the appointment of Mississippi Department of Transportation Executive Director Melinda McGrath, P.E., to serve another term in her current role, while the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission announced Tuesday the selection of Dave Nichols to lead the Missouri Department of Transportation. Nichols had been serving as interim director since last month.

McGrath, who first came to the department in 1985, has served as MDOT executive director since 2012. Prior to that, she served as the department’s interim executive director, chief engineer, and deputy executive director. She holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Mississippi State University, where she was also recently recognized as a distinguished fellow at the university’s Bagley College of Engineering.

The Mississippi Senate approved her appointment as MDOT director through April 1, 2017, unless extended.

Nichols’ appointment to MoDOT comes less than two weeks after being asked to serve as interim director of the department (see related AASHTO Journal story here) following Director Kevin Keith’s resignation due to medical reasons. Nichols, who began his career at MoDOT 29 years ago, previously served as chief engineer and also the department’s first director of program delivery.

“Dave Nichols has the talent, skills, and expertise needed to be a successful leader for MoDOT,” said Commission Chair Joe Carmichael in a statement. “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.” ​​

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