Neil J. Pedersen has been selected as the next Executive Director of the Transportation Research Board, effective February 1, 2015. Pedersen’s appointment follows a national search in which the search committee interviewed a number of extraordinary candidates.
Pedersen joined the Academies in 2012 as the Deputy Director of the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) after more than 36 years in the transportation profession. For 29 years he served in management and leadership positions at the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA), including as chief executive officer for more than eight years.
Pedersen received undergraduate degrees in civil engineering and urban studies at Bucknell University, and a Master’s in civil engineering at Northwestern University with a concentration in transportation planning.
Pedersen has served in numerous volunteer leadership positons at TRB, including as Chair of TRB’s Technical Activities Council from 2005 to 2008, Chair of the SHRP 2 Capacity Technical Coordination Committee from 2005 to 2012, and Chair of TRB’s Executive Committee in 2011.
Pedersen will succeed Bob Skinner, who will retire at the end of January following more than 30 years of service to the Academies. The two will work closely during the next three months to ensure a smooth transition.
