Interview with MDOT’s Newly Appointed Executive Director

January 23, 2012

Brian Albert Broom, of the Clarion-Ledger Interviewed with Melinda L. McGrath, Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

Congratulations on your appointment. Tell us about your background.

I’m a professional engineer and earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Mississippi State University in 1985. I began my engineering career in Jackson with the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s Bridge Division. I left the Department for five years to pursue management opportunities and returned to MDOT in 1992. At that time, I proceeded to the districts – MDOT divides its workload into six defined areas or districts across the state – to manage various types of construction projects and maintenance operations. I served as a project engineer in both the Northern and Southern Districts and as the district area engineer over six coastal counties. In 2003, I was named assistant chief engineer over field operations. In this role, I led the team in planning and administering the $1 billion Hurricane Katrina Emergency Recovery Program and also directed MDOT’s first two design/build contracts that were in excess of $600 million. In August 2008, I was promoted to the position of deputy executive director/chief engineer. In February 2011, I was appointed as the interim executive director/chief engineer. In early January, the commission unanimously voted to remove the “interim” from my title. My husband Hoyt is also an engineer, and we have three children: Margaret, Katherine and Jacob.

What are your priorities?

Enhancing safety, fiscal accountability, clear communication and valuing our employees are my priorities for MDOT. Our main priority is enhancing safety for our citizens, visitors and commercial traffic. Our state consistently has one of the highest fatality rates per vehicle miles traveled in the nation. This trend must be reversed. Education and enforcement of driving laws go hand-in-hand with developing highway designs and using materials that enhance safety. With pressing needs for new and improved transportation infrastructure in every area of the state, and difficult economic conditions nationwide, it’s paramount that MDOT be a wise steward of its resources. Squeezing the most benefit out of every tax dollar is a necessity. We’re taking a hard look at our budget and operations to see where cost efficiencies can be realized.

Operating effectively and efficiently depends upon strong communication. Developing true collaboration and open communication with all our partners builds a shared sense of ownership. Improving communication at all levels is one of my top priorities.

Having worked in agency operations across the state, I want our employees to recognize their value and make sure we provide them with the safest and best work environment possible. I appreciate and understand the sacrifice they and their families make each day and want to ensure that they know how valuable they are to the success of the MDOT.

What are Mississippi’s biggest transportation challenges?

Mississippi’s economy and quality of life for our citizens rely heavily on a safe and vital transportation system. Our transportation infrastructure is aging, with needs that far outstrip available local, state and federal funding. The primary source of transportation revenue in our state is fuel tax revenues, which are declining as vehicles become more fuel efficient, people find new ways of traveling, and some choose to drive less. At the same time, materials and labor costs, as well as the demand for increased mobility to encourage commerce, are increasing. Thus, the biggest transportation challenge is identifying new revenue sources.

Are there any upcoming major projects?

We have a least one major project in each elected commissioner’s area -north, central and south. In north Mississippi I-269 will provide a bypass around Memphis by extending from Collierville, Tenn., through Marshall and DeSoto counties and connecting to existing Mississippi 304/I-69. Once completed, this project will provide enhanced economic opportunities in north Mississippi and beyond.

In the Central District it’s the Split Diamond Interchange System in Madison County, which is a half interchange at Old Agency Road (Ridgeland) and half interchange at Mississippi 463 (Madison) with frontage roads connecting the two projects. Once complete, these projects will enhance traffic flow while providing safer access.

On the Coast we have Mississippi 601 in Harrison County, often referred to as the Port Connector Road. It will provide a route between I-10 and the Port of Gulfport, reduce congestion along U.S. 49, and compliment efforts for the Port to be an economic catalyst for commerce across Mississippi.

The position has long been a political hot seat. How do you approach the job?

My approach is to leave the politics to the elected officials and to focus on carrying out the agency’s mission – providing safe, efficient transportation solutions across all modes. Over the last year as interim director, I’ve had open and forthright dialogue with Commissioners Dick Hall and Mike Tagert. While Tom King is newly elected to the post of Southern District commissioner, he is very familiar with MDOT through his legislative tenure as a state Senator and as chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. I’d like to think the unanimous vote by the commissioners appointing me as executive director demonstrates the confidence they have in my abilities and the assurance they have in me as a team player.

Is it difficult working for three commissioners?

We’re fortunate to have three commissioners with a vast amount of business experience, much of it in public service, so we have three sets of eyes and views working together to discuss challenges and help identify possible solutions. While there are issues unique to certain areas of the state, many times there are common solutions or lessons we’ve learned from one project that we can use for another.

Who most influenced you in your career?

While working in the Starkville Project Office as an engineer-in-training, I was assigned to a well-respected and seasoned project engineer, Keith Swain. Keith is a perfectionist and commanded the same from his staff. He taught me so much about engineering, being a steward for the taxpayers, and managing construction projects. His instruction and example prepared me for my next position as an engineer at the Gulfport Project Office. When I arrived in Gulfport, the Coast was booming largely due to gaming industry related economic development and over the course of a few years, several MDOT engineers chose to pursue careers in the private sector. Our district engineer at that time, Ricky Lee, gave me the opportunity to oversee the Gulfport and Ocean Springs Project Offices. I was a young engineer and Ricky took the time and effort to be my mentor. I learned the importance of good communication, being accessible to the public, and the value of investing in others. Working under Ricky prepared me for the move to MDOT headquarters in Jackson.

You are the first female director and came up through the ranks in a male-dominated profession. What has that been like?

My mother died when I was young, and my father, who was a contractor, often took my brother and me to work with him. In his world, it wasn’t about who you were, but what kind of job you did – performance, work ethic and quality produced. I remember earning a penny a brick to clean bricks. I’ve never considered my gender an issue, but rather see myself as an engineer with a job to do.

Any advice for young women pursuing an engineering career?

I would encourage young women to develop their math and science skills. Much of math and science is based on logical thinking, which is vital to engineering and provides a great background for pursuing most any career.

Anything to add?

My dad taught me the value of hard work, and it’s a lesson I try and share with the people I come into contact with every day, whether they’re an employee, contractor or one of my children. People notice when you do good work and are passionate about what you do.