Chief Transportation Officer- Houston-Galveston Area Council

Mackenzie Eason & Associates has been retained by the Houston‑Galveston Area Council (H‑GAC) to recruit a new Chief Transportation Officer. Reporting to the Executive Director and working with the Transportation Policy Council (TPC), the officer will lead, develop the vision and long‑term plan, and guide transportation policy and capital projects across the region.

The Houston‑Galveston Area Council (H‑GAC) is one of the nation’s largest Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), serving more than 7 million residents across a 12,500‑square‑mile area. It manages regional programs focused on transportation, air quality, economic and workforce development, emergency preparedness, and more.

H‑GAC is a voluntary planning and problem‑solving forum for local governments, overseeing the planning and programming of billions of dollars in transportation investments annually. This includes managing the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), and collaborating with stakeholders such as TxDOT, local transit agencies, and the TPC.

As the federally designated MPO for the eight‑county region, H‑GAC is responsible for regional transportation planning, including the development of the RTP and TIP, and coordinating with major ports, petrochemical facilities, rail networks, airports, and a maritime shipping network across eight counties.

H‑GAC’s MPO has been involved in several significant projects:

• North Houston Highway Improvement Project
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  Reconstruction of I‑45 north of downtown Houston, estimated at >$13 billion.
• 2045 Regional Transportation Plan Update
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  Ongoing effort to guide investments through 2045, covering >750 projects and ~$120 billion in investment.
• Safety Action Plans
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  Development of regional and local safety plans to reduce fatalities and serious injuries, aligning with federal safety programs.

The TPC serves as the policy‑making body for the MPO, providing guidance and approval for regional transportation plans and programs through elected officials, agency representatives, and other stakeholders.

To learn more about the Transportation Policy Council, please refer to official H‑GAC resources.

The Chief Transportation Officer leads the metropolitan planning and analysis division, including the transportation department and a team responsible for planning, funding, and implementing innovative transportation solutions in the Houston‑Galveston Metro area. The officer also oversees the Data Analytics & Research department, supporting local policymakers with travel demand models, forecasting, and GIS data. With an annual operating budget of over $40 million and a headcount of >120 employees, the division is vast and strategic.

As the Chief Transportation Officer, you will lead a dynamic team to address regional challenges such as explosive population growth, increasing freight movement, traffic safety, and congestion. You will champion innovative solutions and foster collaboration across local, state, and federal partners.

Transform Regional Transportation

• Address critical challenges like congestion, traffic safety, freight movement, and air quality.
• Spearhead the development and implementation of cutting‑edge technologies and strategies to improve mobility.
• Ensure efficient and effective use of funding, with programming responsibilities ranging from $700 million to $1 billion annually.

Champion Strategic Vision and…