MnDOT Selects New Aeronautics Director

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), announced that Cassandra Isackson, a fifteen year veteran with MnDOT, has been chosen as the new Director of Aeronautics. She began her new position officially on Wednesday, April 24^th.

Jay Hietpas, the Interim Director, will remain at Aeronautics for a short period of time to assist Ms. Isackson in the transition before returning to his position as Innovative Contracting Director with Construction and Innovative Contracting (OCIC).

Isackson’s most recent position with MnDOT has been as the director of the Office of Transportation Data and Analysis (TDA). She has served in various roles throughout MnDOT including the Office of Traffic, Safety and Technology, the MnDOT Metropolitan District Traffic office, the Office of Project Management and Technical Support, and Materials and Road Research.

Isackson, a registered professional engineer, began her career working for the Alabama Department of Transportation in Materials and Tests. She received her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama.

Hietpas, who is currently on a 4-6 month mobility assignment within MnDOT’s Aeronautics unit, will return to his “home office” when the mobility assignment ends in June. “I’ve really enjoyed my time in Aeronautics,” said Hietpas.

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Kim Stevens

Kim Stevens is the publisher of State Aviation Journal, which he founded in 2009. A longtime commercial-rated pilot, he was introduced to state aviation in 1992 as Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, later serving as Deputy Division Director for the Arizona Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division. From 2013 to 2018, he was Director of Communications and Operations for the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Washington, D.C. Relocating to North Carolina, Kim worked for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for two years and now concentrates solely on the Journal. Prior to his aviation career, Kim spent a decade in the newspaper and magazine business.