Deputy Director Promoted as New UDOT Chief

Tom Warne Report, 14 May 2013

Deseret News – May 06 2013

SALT LAKE CITY – Carlos Braceras has been named as the new executive director of the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT). The appointment follows a nationwide search to replace retired former executive director John Njord. The former UDOT deputy director for 12 years, Braceras is responsible for UDOT’s 1,800 employees and the design, construction, and maintenance of Utah’s 6,000-mile system of roads and highways.

Braceras joined UDOT in 1986. Prior to his post as deputy director, Braceras served as the director of UDOT’s Region Three Office, chief geotechnical engineer, chief value engineer, a member of the Legacy Parkway/I-15 North Project team and as a roadway design engineer.

Named the “1998 State of Utah Governor’s Manager of the Year,” Braceras was also the 1998 recipient of the “UDOT Leader of the Year” Award. Prior to joining UDOT, Braceras worked as a well-site geologist doing oil and gas exploration and development. He also worked for Snowbird Ski Resort. Braceras received an undergraduate degree in Geology from the University of Vermont and an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Utah. He is a registered professional engineer.

Braceras is the AASHTO Secretary/Treasurer and also serves as the chair of the Subcommittee on Maintenance, chair of the Advisory Board for the Center of Environmental Excellence, serves as a member of the Standing Committee on Highways (SCOH), and is vice-chair of the Operations Council of SCOH.

Carlos is an exceptional individual and will do well in following John Njord in leading UDOT to even greater achievements. When I left UDOT in 2001 the governor came to our offices and announced John Njord as my replacement. John then took the podium and announced that Carlos would be his deputy director. The spontaneous applause from the employees and its volume were sure evidence of the regard with which they hold him. Congratulations to Carlos for his well-deserved appointment. TW

This entry was posted in General News, Legislative / Political, News. Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.