Shailen Bhatt named executive director of Colorado Department of Transportation

DENVER — Gov. John Hickenlooper announced that Shailen Bhatt will be the next executive director for the Colorado Department of Transportation. He will begin at CDOT in mid-February. Bhatt most recently served as Cabinet Secretary for the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) where he directed nearly a billion dollar budget and managed 2,800 employees and the state's transportation system. 

During his term, Bhatt successfully delivered $2 billion in infrastructure investments, managed the disaster recovery of two hurricanes and strengthened the financial stewardship of the department by reducing agency debt by nearly 40% and increasing funds available for infrastructure. Prior to serving at DelDOT, Bhatt was an Associate Administrator at the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). There he helped establish the Every Day Counts initiative focused on accelerating project delivery and deploying innovation. He also served as a Deputy Executive Director with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). He currently serves as Chair of the I-95 Corridor Coalition, on the Executive Committee of AASHTO and is President of the Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials.

“Shailen not only brings incredible transportation experience to CDOT, he is a known consensus builder who can continue to build the alliances and the transportation system Colorado needs to support our state’s economy and people’s lives,” said Hickenlooper.  “His experience in disaster recovery, transportation planning and innovative project delivery will help build on the successes that Don Hunt has led to improve safety and congestion on our roadways.”

“I’m thrilled to have the chance to work for Governor Hickenlooper, be part of this Cabinet and lead CDOT.” said Bhatt. “For me, CDOT represents an exciting and important opportunity to continue my public service. Colorado clearly has a dynamic transportation department and a set of transportation challenges that I look forward to tackling.”

Under the leadership of outgoing director Don Hunt, CDOT:

· Improved business processes to get more money to construction. He launched the Responsible Acceleration of Maintenance and Partnerships (RAMP) program which is using more effective cash management to increase construction and improvements to Colorado’s roadways by $300 million a year for the next five years.  In the first year of the program (FY 14), increased construction spending by 33 percent.

· Improved business processes to better customer service and efficiency. Hunt launched the Officer of Process Improvement which initiated processes which reduced hiring time by

17 percent, issued Oversize/Overweight trucking permits 30 percent faster, reimbursed transit project grantees 75 percent quicker.  The new Excellence in Safety approach and training reduced injuries to CDOT employees by 11 percent in 2013-2014.

· Got more out of the system by improving options for travel. Hunt also set the stage for providing more choice for the traveling public and improved congestion management with the expansion of Express Lanes including the US 36 Multi-Modal project and I-70 Peak Period Shoulder Lanes.

· Got more out of the system by addressing how people use our roads.  Hunt created the one of the first dedicated Operations divisions in the country to focus on how to use technology and active travel management to improve the reliability of Colorado’s roadways.

· Drove more accountability and transparency in CDOT activities.  Hunt issued a public friendly budget enabled public to better understand CDOT finances and where funds are spent and launched an interactive tool, Your CDOT Dollar, to spell out performance of CDOT and how much each customer pays for transportation. Customer Service methods have also broadened, with increased information on social media, resulting in Facebook & Twitter user growth of 50 percent from 2012-2014.

· Spearheaded the first improvements on I-70 in the mountains in 30 years. Hunt promised in 2011 to gain approval for and complete the widening of the I-70 Idaho Springs eastbound Twin (Veterans Memorial) Tunnel by the end of 2013.  The tunnel and a widened eastbound I-70 opened to traffic on December 9, 2013 and the widened westbound tunnel opened on December 13, 2014.  The project improved a segment of I-70 originally built in 1961.

· Guided recovery efforts after September 2013 floods.  After floods destroyed or damaged 225 miles of state highways in northeastern Colorado, Hunt committed that roads would reopen and communities would be reconnected by December 1. All highways were open by November 26, 2013 just 69 days later.

Hunt will remain at CDOT through the end of February to transition with Bhatt and then will return to his project development and advisory firm, The Antero Company.  Based on his national leadership role in transportation operations, he will continue his involvement in emerging technologies that will change how we travel, including big data, connected vehicles and automation.  Hunt will also join the Buechner Institute for Governance, School of Public Affairs, CU-Denver as a Senior Fellow and lecturer in transportation and infrastructure.

“Don Hunt has been a remarkable executive director for the Colorado Department of Transportation.  His ability to galvanize the Herculean efforts that so swiftly reopened the state’s bridges and the hundreds of miles of roads damaged by the floods is but one example of how he has served this state and enhanced the lives of Coloradans and our visitors,” said Hickenlooper.  “Another of his many noteworthy accomplishments is his flawless management of the widening of the Twin Tunnels. Don did all of this and more despite budgetary constraints, indicative of his innovation and resourceful leadership.”

“Leading CDOT for the last four years has been the highlight of my career,” said Hunt. “Transportation is the backbone that helps to drive our state’s economy and the quality of life for Coloradans.  Our success over the last four years is a result of the vision set out by Gov. Hickenlooper as well as the incredible dedication of CDOT’s employees and our local community partners to the people of Colorado.  It has been a privilege working with them and Gov. Hickenlooper.”