ARTBA honors former NDOT director with Lifetime Achievement Award

DENVER — Susan Martinovich, CH2M HILL’s North America Highways and Bridges director, and former director of the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), received the Ethel S. Birchland Lifetime Achievement Awardfrom the American Road & Transportation Builders Association’s Transportation Development Foundation (ARTBA-TDF). Given as part of the Women Leaders in Transportation Design & Construction Awards, this prestigious award recognizes Martinovich for her outstanding leadership, long-term service in the industry, and dedication to the advancement of innovation and other women leaders.

“It is such an honor to be recognized by ARTBA for doing work that I love,” shared Martinovich. “I feel privileged to have a career that provides opportunities to serve both the public and private sectors.”

Prior to joining CH2M HILL, Martinovich spent 28 years with NDOT where she began as a college intern and rose the ranks to deputy director, chief engineer, and — finally — the first woman director in 2007. As director, she managed an annual operating budget of $700 million, led the day-to-day operations of the agency and its 1,800 employees, and established NDOT’s “Pioneer Program.” Throughout her career, Martinovich established herself as a vocal proponent of design-build as an alternative project delivery method.

In 2012, Martinovich was recognized as a White House Champion of Change for developing innovative ways to help grow and expand the transportation industry. She lends her professional expertise to numerous professional organizations and in 2011 was elected the first female president of the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials. She has served as a professional mentor to many young women engineers, several of whom now hold NDOT leadership positions, and is a regular presenter at the Women’s Transportation Seminar.