91视频

Kelly Amador

senior project manager and senior associate, roads and highways at David Evans and Associates Inc.

Kelly Amador spent more than three decades of her career with the Oregon Department of Transportation, where she trained project managers and engineers. She decided she wanted to be a part of doing the work, not teaching it, and she joined DEA six years ago.

鈥淚 enjoy working on a project from the early stages, developing it into a full design and then watching it be constructed. It is very satisfying to see a completed project and know that I was part of making life better for that community,鈥� said Amador, who managed the Santiam Pass Bridge Replacements and Repairs and the Newberg-Dundee Bypass projects for DEA.

At ODOT, she promoted STEM and engineering careers, with a special focus on encouraging young women to pursue these fields. At DEA, her commitment to mentoring extends to guiding individuals who are entering project management roles. Her dedication to this aspect of leadership earned her the prestigious DEA Difference Award, which recognized her for embodying DEA鈥檚 core values of communication, accountability and trust.

鈥淎s a mentor for young women professionals in the engineering field, Kelly draws upon her own experiences to offer invaluable wisdom and unwavering support. By actively promoting and uplifting diverse voices, she effectively expands the perspectives and leadership potential within the industry,鈥� said Gavin Oien, vice president and DEA鈥檚 Oregon market leader, Transportation Business Unit.

One of the most significant changes Amador led was ODOT鈥檚 development and implementation of a new project delivery structure. The new system bolstered the way projects were executed, paving the way for more efficient and effective delivery. Project management was expanded, ensuring a more streamlined and organized approach. With increased accountability and transparency, the state Legislature鈥檚 confidence in ODOT鈥檚 capabilities was boosted, leading to a higher level of project funding.