Secretary

Paula J. Hammond, appointed by Gov. Christine Gregoire in 2007 leads the Washington State Department of Transportation, an agency of 7,100 employees that operate, maintain and build state highways. WSDOT is more than just a “highways’ department, Paula’s responsibilities are truly multi-modal as well as multi-dimensional. She leads oversees the Washington State Ferry system, the nation’s largest, WSDOT Aviation, Public Transit, Amtrak Cascades and Freight. WSDOT is responsible for the operation, maintenance and construction of improvements on over 7000 centerline miles of highway and 3500 bridges. Paula’s leadership focus at WSDOT is on public accountability, project delivery, open communications with the public, and the quest for efficiency in the use of transportation facilities and in the agency’s own business practices.

Washington Department of Transportation is currently delivering a biennial capital budget of $4.4 Billion and an overall agency budget of $5.8 Billion.

Paula graduated from Oregon State University with a BS in Civil Engineering and is a Professional Engineer. In her 30 years with WSDOT, she has worked in all areas of the department’s capital delivery, operations and policy programs.

Boards and Associations:

• AASHTO Transportation Marketing Task Force, Chair 
• AASHTO Public Affairs Subcommittee (NTPAW), Chair
• AASHTO Climate Change Steering Committee, Chair
• Transportation Improvement Board, Board member since 1995
• Women’s Transportation Seminar
• Inducted into OSU Engineering Academy of Distinguished Engineers, 2008
• American Public Works Association

Paula’s husband Alan is a Professional Land Surveyor. They have three children, Greg, Rachel, and Kerry.