Former Indiana Transportation Department commissioner joins Trump Administration

Brandye Hendrickson

Brandye Hendrickson, former Indiana Department of Transportation commissioner, joined the Trump Administration in July as a member of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

She has assumed the role of deputy administrator.

“In this capacity, she leads the daily operations of 2,900-person federal agency which spans six-time zones,” the FHWA said. “She oversees the agency’s $44 billion annual budget, directs execution of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), and co-chairs the U.S.-Canada Transportation Border Working Group and U.S.-Mexico Joint Working Committee.”

Hendrickson served as deputy commissioner of Indiana’s Greenfield District from 2007-2015 and as commissioner of the Indiana Department of Transportation from 2015-2017. She served earlier this year as head of the State Personnel Department.

The position of deputy administrator, a position that does not require Senate confirmation, has been vacant since President Donald Trump’s inauguration. FHWA Executive Director Walter Waidelich, Jr. had been serving as acting deputy administrator.

The role of FHWA administrator also has been vacant since the inauguration. Senate confirmation is not required for the position.

The FHWA has 2,900 employees. It is divided into a number of offices including the Office of Technical Services, the Intelligent Transportation Systems/Joint Program Office, and the Office of Research, Development, and Technology.