JEFFERSON CITY –Missouri Department of Transportation Director Patrick McKenna has informed the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission he will be leaving the department. His last day at MoDOT will be September 20.
“We thank Patrick for serving in his role the past eight and a half years. His leadership has revolutionized the way the department does business. His partnership with the Governor and General Assembly has increased Missouri’s transportation funding from a $1.7 billion STIP to an $14.6 billion STIP,” said Commission Chairman W. Dustin Boatwright. “Under his leadership, Missouri is at the forefront of asset management and critical transportation improvements for Missourians. The Commission has full confidence in the MoDOT team’s ability to execute the historic investment as we work through this leadership transition.”
“We’ve appreciated Patrick’s innovative thinking, steady hand of leadership, and partnership throughout his tenure as MoDOT Director,” Governor Mike Parson said. “By working together, Missouri’s infrastructure improvement is on a solid foundation, and we have achieved unprecedented wins, including expanding I-70 to six lanes, the Focus on Bridges program, the new Rocheport and Buck O’Neil bridges, and huge investments in lettered roads across our state, among countless others.
“While Patrick will be greatly missed among our cabinet team, we wish him the absolute best. We are proud to have had his leadership in Missouri and know this new legacy of excellence will continue on at MoDOT.”
The Commission is prepared with a succession plan so there will be no gap in leadership to ensure MoDOT’s critical work continues. Effective end of day August 23, MoDOT Deputy Director Ed Hassinger will assume the duties of the director as interim director during this transition and search for a new director. Hassinger has worked for MoDOT for more than 40 years and has served in the role as Deputy Director and Chief Engineer for the last 11 years.
The Commission intends to launch a national search for its new director following its monthly meeting in September.
“MoDOT has an existing team of leaders who consistently exceed expectations to deliver for Missourians, and we value each of them. The Commission will exercise due diligence by performing a national search open to both external and internal candidates, giving consideration to the extensive network of transportation professionals who are ready to compete and lead a world class organization. We are confident we will have a new director in place by the end of the year,” said Boatwright. “We appreciate the abilities and skills of our industry partners in engineering design and construction of roads and bridges. Together we will continue to deliver on these needed transportation projects for all Missourians.”
McKenna has accepted a position with the Eno Center for Transportation to begin in early October.