Jeffrey Altman (seen above) officially became acting executive director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation on April 1. Appointed by the Mississippi Transportation Commission (MTC), he replaces Melinda McGrath, who retired on March 31 after a 36-year career with the agency.
[Above photo via the Mississippi DOT.]
The commission noted it has launched a nationwide search for a permanent executive director, with the goal of having one appointed by April 2022.
“It was with great reluctance that we accepted Melinda’s retirement earlier this month,” noted Tom King, MTC’s chairman, in a statement. “Jeff has served the state for 23 years, most recently as assistant to [Mississippi DOT’s] executive director. He has the knowledge and leadership skills to take the helm and keep Mississippi moving on a safe, efficient and effective transportation network.”
Altman began his public service career in 1998 in the Mississippi DOT Planning Division. In 2009, he became assistant director of the Local Public Agency (LPA) division, a function of the Mississippi DOT that oversees federal money for local government projects. He then became LPA division director in 2012 and then, since 2019, served as assistant to the executive director.
“I am thankful for the commission’s confidence in me to lead MDOT,” Altman said. “Melinda set a high standard for excellence, integrity and transparency. While she will be sorely missed, we know the quality of our infrastructure impacts our quality of life and affects economic development.”
He added that “we are prepared to continue being good stewards of taxpayer dollars as we maintain nearly 30,000 highway miles and 6,000 bridges. With the guidance and support of the commission and legislature, we will invest wisely and systematically to make Mississippi a better place to live, work and play.”
A native of Wiggins and graduate of Mississippi State University, Altman lives in Rankin County with his wife and children.
RELATED ARTICLES
April 22, 1921: After War-Related Delays, an Ocean Liner Finally Embarks on Her Maiden Voyage
The ocean liner RMS Arundel Castle, under the command of Captain T.J. Bremner, departed the city of Southampton in southern England for her maiden voyage. This vessel, which had been built for the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company Limited (Union Castle Line), made her way to Cape Town, South Africa, on that inaugural trip.
Read more ➡️ link in bio
Founded 51 years ago, Earth Day is a global celebration that is raising public awareness and support for protection of the environment. One of the campaign’s objectives is to get everyone to play a role – no matter what they do or where they live and work. This video highlights the many ways that the Minnesota Department of Transportation and other state DOTs are leading in the areas of sustainability and environmental stewardship. The video – entitled “Every Day is Earth Day at Minnesota DOT” – features an interview with the agency’s commissioner, Margaret Anderson Kelliher. She also serves as chairman of the Committee on Environment and Sustainability for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Kelliher details the Minnesota DOT’s successful efforts to shrink its carbon footprint, advance renewable energy consumption, plus safeguard and beautify the environment around the construction sites managed the agency. She also speaks candidly about her concerns and hopes for the future as we celebrate Earth Day 2021.
Watch now by clicking the link in our bio. #EarthDay2021