2023 SPEAKERS
Wednesday, May 3, 2023 (7 a.m. - 12 p.m.)
.
More speakers coming soon... stay tuned!
JENNIFER TOTH
Director - Arizona Department of Transportation
Jennifer Toth was appointed director of the Arizona Department of Transportation on January 5, 2023, to lead the agency responsible for planning, designing, building, maintaining and operating the state’s multimodal transportation system, managing transportation revenue, and providing motor vehicle title, registration and driver license services.
Jennifer has over 25 years of experience in the public works field. She has spent the majority of her career working in the public sector and was most recently the Director for the Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) as well as the Maricopa County Engineer. Before joining MCDOT in 2014, Jennifer served as State Engineer and Deputy Director of the Arizona Department of Transportation. She has also worked in the private sector as a transportation consultant.
Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Houston and a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of New Mexico. She brings a passion for public service and meeting the transportation needs of the residents of the State of Arizona.
GREG BYRES
Deputy Director/State Engineer - Arizona Department of Transportation
Greg Byres currently serves as state engineer and deputy director for transportation. As leader of the Infrastructure Delivery and Operations Division (IDO), Transportation Systems Management and Operations Division (TSMO), and the Multimodal Transportation Division (MPD), he oversees development and delivery of the ADOT construction program, including environmental studies, engineering design, land acquisition and construction. He also supports the maintenance and operation of more than 6,000 miles of interstate and state highways in Arizona.
JESSE GUTIERREZ
Interim Director - Maricopa County Department of Transportation
Jesse Gutierrez serves as the Deputy Director of the Maricopa County Department of Transportation. As Deputy Director he works with the Director and supports all the operations of MCDOT. He has over 30 years of experience in transportation, prior to joining MCDOT in 2020, he had served as a District Engineer, Deputy State Engineer with Arizona Department of Transportation. He is a graduate of U of A with a master’s in engineering.
DR. JANIS HODGE
DBE Supportive Services Manager - ADOT Business Engagement & Compliance Office
Dr. Hodge serves as the DBE Supportive Services Program Manager of the Business Engagement & Compliance Office (BECO) of ADOT. She is an advocate for DBEs/SBCs, making herself and her team responsible for assisting these firms to get work on federal-aid contracts and to become self-sufficient in their respective industries. Dr. Hodge has worked to implement ADOT’s training and educational programs to support DBEs as well as building outreach opportunities to forge alliances with community partners. She migrated from the east coast, formerly in the Va Beach, Va area known as Hampton Roads, and has more than 15 years of combined communications, training, facilitation and management experience. Her doctorate concentration in Organizational Development and Change Management was only the beginning of her passion and journey to focus on Continuous Improvement and Service. She also personally participates in community outreach and educational efforts in the Valley.
CANDACE HUFF
Deputy Aviation Director - City of Phoenix Aviation Department
Candace Huff is a professional engineer who has been working with the City of Phoenix Aviation Department for over twenty-four years. She is currently the Deputy Aviation Director for the Design and Services Division. She oversees and manages the implementation of the Capital Improvement Program and the Airport Capital Improvement Program which encompasses grant funded projects, Job Order Contracting and Tenant Improvement efforts for the division, and Terminal 4 S1 Concourse ensuring thorough and effective execution for the Aviation Department as well as the overall management of the division. She has worked on several key airport development projects for Sky Harbor (PHX), Goodyear (GYR) and Deer Valley (DVT) Airports and has managed projects such as the reconstruction of the north and center runways as well as the new construction of the south runway for PHX.
KINI KNUDSON
Director of Street Transportation - City of Phoenix
Kini L. E. Knudson has served as the director for the Street Transportation Department since 2018. Kini previously served as the Assistant Street Transportation Director and City Engineer. Prior to joining the Street Transportation Department, Kini was the deputy director in the Public Transit Department responsible for the Facilities Division. Since joining the city in 2000, he has worked in several other city departments, including Development Services, Aviation, and Engineering and Architectural Services. Kini has spent the majority of his professional career managing vertical and horizontal construction projects and programs, and possesses significant contracting and procurement experience. Prior to his employment with the city of Phoenix, Kini was an Officer in the United States Navy Civil Engineer Corps. Kini spent time stationed in southern Spain and in the Washington D.C. area. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Arizona. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Arizona, and a master’s degree in business administration from Arizona State University.