The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Gloria Shepherd as the newly appointed executive director of the Federal Highway Administration.
Shepherd is FHWA's eleventh executive director since the administration's founding in 1971, according to an Oct. 20 news release.
"From her work at the Maryland and New York departments of transportation, to more than two decades at FHWA, Gloria has dedicated her extraordinary career to serving the traveling public," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in the release. "We are lucky to have her expertise, insight and dedication as we work to modernize our nation’s roads, bridges and highways to serve the American people now and for generations to come."
Shepherd took over from FHWA Acting Administrator Stephanie Pollack, who had been in the acting position since July of last year, the release reported. She will be the first woman and the first African American in FHWA history to be executive director.
"Our nation's street and highway infrastructure is changing in real time and there is no one with more experience and dedication to this work to help guide that transition than Gloria," Pollack said in the news release. "Her expertise, commitment to mentorship of current and future transportation leaders and the respect she has built over her long career position her to improve our transportation infrastructure as she leads FHWA as executive director. I look forward to seeing what she accomplishes in the years to come."
Shepherd's 23 years with FHWA included development of national partnerships and coalitions, opening doors through mentorship for future leaders within DOT, according to the release. Her earlier work included executive level positions in the Maryland State Highway Administration and the New York Department of Transportation.
“I am humbled by the opportunity to serve as the next executive director of FHWA," Shepherd said, according to the release. "It does not fall short on me the enormous responsibility that comes with the position. I am grateful that history has allowed me to fulfill the dreams of my parents and relatives who have gone on and bent their shoulders low, so I could stand on them in this position of public service. I am confident with the help of all the talented people in FHWA, we will not only fulfill our mission but reach new horizons."
Shepherd's responsibilities as FHWA's executive director include leading the administration's efforts to deliver highway and street programs with an eye toward advancing safe, efficient, equitable and sustainable mobility, in addition to strengthening the nation’s economy, according to the news release.
"Ms. Shepherd will guide FHWA as it administers more than $350 billion as part of President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law," the news release said. "That includes formula and competitive grant programs with new funding and programs available to a range of grant recipients, including state departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, Tribes, territories and federal land management agencies."
