Kirk T. Steudle began his career with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) in 1987 as an engineer trainee. He is a registered professional engineer, and rose through the ranks of the department to his current position. On Jan. 1, 2011, Governor Rick Snyder appointed Steudle as the State Transportation Director. Steudle also served as State Transportation Director from 2006 – 2010.

Steudle oversees MDOT’s more than three billion dollar budget and is responsible for the construction, maintenance and operation of nearly 10,000 miles of state highways and more than 4000 state highway bridges. He also oversees administration of a wide range of multi-modal transportation programs statewide. MDOT currently has 2,500 employees statewide.

Steudle is the 2011-12 president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and serves on the AASHTO Executive Committee. In 2010, he received the prestigious Thomas H. MacDonald award from AASHTO, recognizing him nationally for his continuous outstanding service and exceptional contribution to highway engineering. In 2011, he was awarded the P.D. McLean Award from the Road Gang for excellence in highway transportation.

In 2004, Steudle participated in Federal Highway Administration’s National Asset Management Delegation, where he helped conduct a Transportation Asset Management Seminar in Riga, Latvia, for the countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. In 2005, he was a member of the FHWA/AASHTO International Scan and had a first-hand opportunity to study the asset management practices of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and England.

Steudle also is a national leader in the development of Connected Vehicle Technologies, working with a partnership of governments and auto manufacturers to further high-tech highway operations and at the same time, improve Michigan’s economy. Connected Vehicle Technology allows vehicles to communicate with each other and the road to improve safety and mobility. Steudle is on the board of directors of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) and the Engineering Society of Detroit, the largest engineering society in the country. He also chairs the Strategic Highway Research Program ( SHRP) II oversight committee and the implementation report to the U.S. Congress.

In the past, Steudle has served as MDOT’s Chief Deputy Director, Bay Region Engineer, and Deputy Region Engineer for the Metro Detroit Region. He also was president of the 2009 Mississippi Valley Conference and has been a member of the AASHTO Board of Directors since 2006.

Steudle is a graduate of Adrian High School and Lawrence Technological University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Engineering. He also served on the Essexville City Council from 1995 to 1999.