The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) have made changes to their respective leadership teams.
MDOT Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld to step down
Wiedefeld will step away from state service on Aug. 1. MDOT Deputy Secretary Samantha J. Biddle will serve as acting secretary while Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna K. Miller leads a nationwide search to fill the official cabinet post.
“Our state is grateful for Paul Wiedefeld’s distinguished service over the last two and a half years,” said Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. “Under Paul’s leadership, we’ve made it easier for Marylanders to get from where they live to where opportunity lies, and laid the foundation for a more competitive, affordable state for all. Secretary Wiedefeld brought decades of expertise to our team, and he used that wisdom to cultivate a new generation of talent. Samantha Biddle has the experience, instincts and knowledge to carry forward the baton of service at the Maryland Department of Transportation. I look forward to continuing our work together as she takes on this new acting role.”
Wiedefeld’s career has spanned more than 40 years, including transportation posts in the public and private sectors. During his time at MDOT, Wiedefeld has helped reposition the department to center safety throughout its work, get the Purple Line project back on track and helm a swift response and recovery following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge. He also secured more than $5 billion in federal grants to advance transportation projects for the state of Maryland, including $213 million to replace the Maryland Transit Administration’s (MTA’s) obsolete light-rail vehicles, $80 million for the MTA’s I-895 Baltimore Harbor Tunnel enhancement project, $30 million for Port of Baltimore’s Dundalk Marine Terminal reconstruction of berths 11-1 and billions in federal funds, alongside Amtrak, to transform the Northeast Corridor and MARC Penn Line.
“Secretary Wiedefeld comes from a family of servant leaders and has dedicated his life to public service, transforming how Marylanders move and connect,” Miller said. “We thank him for his tireless work. As we launch a nationwide search for his successor, we are committed to finding a leader ready to meet the urgent needs of our transportation systems.”
Caltrans appoints new director
Dina El-Tawansy was appointed the 35th director of Caltrans by California Gov. Gavin Newsom and sworn in on July 1, 2025.
Prior to her appointment, El-Tawansy served as the Bay Area District 4 director and was the first woman to ever hold that position. She managed a $2 billion budget of in-house and oversight investments and led a staff of nearly 3,400 employees. Her responsibilities included the oversight of all highways, toll bridges and tunnels in the greater San Francisco Area and encompassed nine counties, including Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara. Prior to that role, she served as chief deputy district director for the same district. She also served as acting assistant divisions chief for project and program management in Sacramento and the deputy district director of operations and maintenance in Orange County.
El-Tawansy has a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Cal Poly Pomona and a master’s degree from Long Beach State University in construction management. She is a licensed professional engineer in California and project management professional.
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Brandon Lewis is a recent graduate of Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Lewis is a former freelance editorial assistant at Vehicle Service Pros in Endeavor Business Media’s Vehicle Repair Group. Lewis brings his knowledge of web managing, copyediting and SEO practices to Mass Transit Magazine as an associate editor. He is also a co-host of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast.