Media Contact: Erik Linden @ DDOT, 202-671-2004

(Washington, DC) Emeka Moneme, Director of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced today that he has appointed Kathleen L. Penney as Chief Engineer of DDOT.

Ms. Penney has served as DDOT’s Deputy Chief Engineer in the agency’s Infrastructure Project Management Administration (IPMA) since 2004.

As Deputy Chief Engineer, Ms. Penney’s many accomplishments included successfully managing DDOT’s ward-based engineering and construction teams and overseeing DDOT’s role in the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative (AWI). Ms. Penney has also managed a program of complex, high profile corridor projects from transportation studies and planning through design and into construction.

She has been instrumental in the recent successful renovation of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge (South Capitol Street) and she has conducted extensive public outreach programs for the Middle Anacostia Crossings Study, 11th Street Bridge Environmental Impact Statement, various South Capitol Street studies, and the Kenilworth Avenue Corridor Study in Northeast.

Kathleen, a Ward 6 resident, also brings to DDOT valuable experience from her work in the federal government with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). She also holds a degree in Civil Engineering from Marquette University in Wisconsin.

“I’ve been consistently impressed with Kathleen’s dedication to our city’s infrastructure and her commitment to public service,” said Moneme. “We’ll be working closely together on many ongoing projects—all vital to the health of our city’s transportation network.”

As DDOT’s Chief Engineer, Ms. Penney will be charged with overseeing DDOT’s Infrastructure Project Management Administration and will be responsible for the design, engineering and construction of all roadways, bridges, traffic signals and alley projects in the District of Columbia. IPMA also manages special construction projects and all roadway assets.

Moneme added: “I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank DDOT’s Acting Chief Engineer Ardeshir Nafici, who served in this capacity with excellence. Mr. Nafici will now serve as DDOT’s Deputy Chief Engineer and will continue to work closely with Kathleen and their team at IPMA.

Simply put, we are lucky to have Kathleen serve as DDOT’s Chief Engineer and I look forward to working closely with her as we move forward as an agency.”