The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has selected Kimberly Avery, professional engineer, to succeed Bobbi Welke as the new MDOT Southwest Region engineer.
As the Southwest Region engineer, Avery will be responsible for more than 1,200 miles of state trunkline in nine southwest Michigan counties (Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren), more than 280 employees, a capital program of approximately $100 million, and an annual maintenance budget of $34 million.
A Valparaiso University graduate, Avery has 25 years of experience at MDOT, most recently deputy Metro Region engineer. She is involved with several initiatives and teams, including the Autonomous Vehicle Implementation Team, the Strategic Planning Committee, the Great Lakes Regional Transportation Operating Coalition, and the Commercial Vehicle Steering Team. In addition, she is a member of the Detroit Greenway Coalition, the Detroit Engineering Society, and is president of the Michigan chapter of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO).
"I am excited to embrace this opportunity and serve our customers in the Southwest Region," Avery said. "I'm looking forward to working with the region's team to deliver innovative transportation solutions for economic benefit and improved quality of life in southwestern Michigan."
"Kim Avery brings a solid track record of leadership, engineering skill and creative problem solving to our Southwest Region," said MDOT Chief Operating Officer Greg Johnson. "Bobbi Welke set a high bar, leading on innovations that helped limit traffic delays and save motorists time and money, among many other accomplishments. We are confident that Kim will continue that tradition of excellent customer service."
Welke will retire in March after 31 years with MDOT.
