The Oklahoma Transportation Commission recently appointed Tim Gatz executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT).
Gatz is the state’s secretary of transportation and executive director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. He will retain these roles when he assumes the executive director position April 1.
“Secretary Gatz’s successful career at ODOT, his leadership of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and his nomination to the post of secretary of transportation show that he is eminently qualified to lead ODOT in serving the needs of the people, businesses and communities of Oklahoma,” David Burrage, Transportation Commission chairman, said. “The commission’s unanimous vote of confidence speaks to the trust that has been placed in him to lead the state’s transportation efforts.”
Gatz has bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture and is a registered professional landscape architect. He began working for ODOT in in 1990 as a draftsman. The highest position he reached was deputy director before leaving in 2016 to lead the turnpike authority.
He is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
Mike Patterson has served as executive director since 2013. Patterson is retiring after nearly 40 years with ODOT.