The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission appointed Ferzan M. Ahmed as executive director at its meeting Monday.
Ahmed will manage the turnpike’s day-to-day business operations.
“Ferzan’s depth of experience as an engineer and leader in the transportation industry in both the private and public sectors will serve the Commission, its employees, communities and customers quite well,” Commission Chairman Jerry N. Hruby said. “We welcome Ferzan and we know that he will provide the leadership necessary to continue our reputation as one of the best run toll facilities in the nation.”
Ahmed was vice president of Cleveland-based AECOM’s Ohio Transportation practice. He was AECOM’s project principal for the MORPC Hyperloop Feasibility Study and DriveOhio autonomous and connected vehicle deployment projects and worked with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT).
He also was ODOT’s deputy director of District 6 from 2011 until 2016 and Delaware County administrator.
As deputy director, he oversaw 4,921 miles of roads and 1,557 bridges in eight counties. District 6 is ODOT’s largest region.
Ahmed began working for ODOT in 1992. He oversaw many projects over the past two decades including the development of the I-70/I-71 redesign project in District 6.
Ahmed’s new position was effective immediately.