The keynote speaker was Paul C. Ajegba, the Director of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The summary discusses his background and career history at MDOT, culminating in his appointment as Director by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in January 2019. It also provides statistics on MDOT's partnership with HBCUs through the Transportation Development Recruitment Program (TDRP), which has grown the number of interns from 4 in year 1 to 34 in year 7.

1. Mid-America Transportation Center
Scholars Virtual Conference
Keynote
April 2, 2021
Director Paul C. Ajegba, P.E.
Michigan Department of Transportation

2. Today’s Topics
• Background
• Education/Employment History
• TDRP/UM Partnership

3. Background
• National Origin
•Marital Status
•Family
•Journey to Prairie View

4. Education
• Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas
• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE)
• Civil/Structural Engineering
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)
• Construction Engineering & Management
• State of Michigan
• Registered Professional Engineer
• AASHTO National Transportation Leadership Institute
• Indiana University – Indianapolis, Indiana

5. Michigan Department of Transportation
Engineering Development Program
• 1990 – 1992 Participant
• Entry-level transportation engineer position.
• Rotate throughout various assignments up to two years in
duration.
• Locations vary depending on current assignment/rotation.
• Each position is assigned a mentor.
• Pay: Transportation Engineer 9 pay scale.

6. Michigan Department of Transportation
Employment History
Region Traffic & Safety/Operations Engineer
April 1998 – February 2003
• Provided public service on behalf of MDOT in matters relating to traffic and/or safety in the region. Followed
departmental policies and assured compliance of approved traffic engineering specifications and standards.
Reviewed and approved plans for roadside improvement projects. Reviewed, recommended and approved
treatment for areas in need of traffic operational betterments such as islands, flares, and right turn lanes.
General Engineer (Engineer Development Program TE11/TE12)
September 1990 – April 1998
• Responsibilities included preparing/maintaining traffic plans and assisting the design and construction division in
developing MDOT standard plans for all projects in the Region. Duties also included responding to citizen
concerns as they related to roadway and safety issues within the Region. Participated in the Engineering
Development Program. This program was designed to provide one year of cross departmental training to new
employees. As Utilities and Permits Engineer, responsible for coordinating all utility relocation and construction
activities with the MDOT right-of-way in Wayne and St. Clare Counties and supervision of the utility
relocation/construction effort of various private and municipal utilities.

7. University Region Operations
Tecumseh Construction Engineer
February 2003 – February 2005
Responsible for all operational issues in the University Region
including those related to Traffic and Safety, Utilities and
Permits, and maintenance. Responsible for the day-to-day
operation of the Tecumseh construction office for the 2003
construction season. Administered the construction of
several freeway and bridge construction projects, including
the reconstruction of 9.33 miles of US-23 freeway and 22
bridges at an estimated cost of $37 million. Also
administered the reconstruction of US-223 to the state line,
and several construction projects in Lenawee and Monroe
Counties.
Notable Projects:
• US-23 Reconstruction

8. Metro Region, Oakland TSC
Transportation Service Center Manager
February 2005 – May 2009
Oversaw and assisted in the implementation and ongoing
operations of the Oakland TSC which included all modes
of transportation and transportation operations in
Oakland County. Responsible for the overall
administration of the TSC including budget planning,
carrying out MDOT goals, policies and procedures in the
areas of planning complex projects, design project
delivery, Traffic and Safety, maintenance of the physical
features, utility relocation, construction permits and
various studies. Served as a liaison between MDOT and
the public, local road agencies, law enforcement
agencies, government officials, transportation industry
and public and private companies.

9. Metro Region
Deputy Region Engineer
May 2009 – July 2011
Served as Assistant to the Metro Region Engineer in all aspects of region activities.
Assisted in the overall direction of the Metro Region’s strategic plans, policies,
programs and procedures. Served as the acting Region Engineer in the absence
of the Region Engineer. Administered and directed all activities of the Project
Development, Construction and Technology, Maintenance and Traffic and Safety
divisions, along with five Transportation Service Centers (TSC) and the Blue Water
Bridge. Monitored the productivity, balance and organizational alignment of the
region support staff, TSCs and Central Office in the areas of responsibility within
the Metro Region. Resolved complex issues to ensure continued implementation
and operation of MDOT services and products to its customers.
•Notable Projects:
 M-10 Lodge Freeway Reconstruction
 M-39 Southfield Freeway Reconstruction
 I-96 Reconstruction – Livonia
 US-24 (Telegraph Road) Reconstruction
 I-94 Reconstruction – Port Huron

10. University Region Engineer
July 2011 – September 2018
Served as a member of the Director’s Leadership Team,
responsible for the management and oversight of the strategic
planning and operations of the nine (9) counties in the
University Region. Responsible for the administration,
oversight, and approval of the development and delivery of
MDOT’s programs within the region.
Notable projects:
 US-23 Flex Route (First in Michigan) (ACEC Michigan Eminent Conceptor
Award, ACEC National Recognition Award, COMTO Michigan Innovative
Project of the Year Award, ITS America – Best ITS Award)
 US-23/I-96 Interchange Reconstruction (AASHTO President’s Award)
 I-75 Reconstruction in Monroe
 I-94 Rehabilitation Project in Ann Arbor/Jackson
 MDOT Project Manager for Mcity Project – University of Michigan
Autonomous Vehicle Research/Development Site

11. Metro Region Engineer
September 2018 – January 2019
Served as a member of the Director’s Leadership
Team, responsible for the management and
oversight of the strategic planning and operations of
the Metro Region (Oakland, Macomb and Wayne
counties) encompassing all areas of transportation
engineering and multi-modal activities in accordance
with the Department’s mission, vision, goals and
objectives. Responsible for the administration,
oversight, and approval of the development and
delivery of MDOT’s programs within the region.
Manage, administer, monitor and approve financial
and personnel resource budgets within the region.

12. Appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to serve as
Director of the Michigan Department of Transportation on
January 1, 2019. Serves as the leader of the Michigan
Department of Transportation (MDOT). Provide overall
leadership, strategy, and direction for the department and its
$5 billion transportation program. Department of
Transportation includes the program areas of highways,
bridges, rail, bus and air passenger services, marine and
port activities, finance, planning, legislative, and
administrative duties. As Director, he has led the
department in the implementation of the Governor’s $3.5
billion Rebuilding Michigan Program. This bonding program
is designed to address some of Michigan’s critical
infrastructure deficiencies. He also worked with
OEMs/academia in Michigan to implement several
innovative projects including the first public/private
partnership designated roadway of the future research
project with Cavnue. This project will designate a segment
of US-12 from Detroit to Ann Arbor for testing.
Department Director
January 2019 - Present

13. Awards
• 2019 Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Pioneer Award
• 2019 National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Transportation and Infrastructure
Special Interest Group Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2017 Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Public Agency Executive
of the Year
• 2010 Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority Leadership Award (AAATA)
• 2008 Woodward Avenue Action Association Board Leadership Award
• 2004 MDOT Director’s Award, Professional Supervisory Category

14. MDOT HBCU TDRP History
Timeline 2014- 2020
• Year 1 4
• Year 2 5
• Year 3 8
• Year 4 12
• Year 5 16
• Year 6 18
• Year 7 34 COVID-19

15. Our Partners

16. 2020 ACEC Partners
DLZ Corporation – Michigan
*Michael Baker International
Rowe Professional Services
SOMAT Engineering
TYME Consulting Engineers
* Hired 2 TDRP Students

17. 58
2021- Year 8
• 30 MDOT Interns
• 28 Interns from committed ACEC partnering firms

18. Questions?