As the Department's Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), Mr. Bass has financial oversight responsibility for the Department.  Mr. Bass also oversees management of the Department's financial planning operations division (the "Finance Division"), which includes letting management activities associated with project delivery.  In addition, recently announced changes in organizational responsibilities and executive administration of the Department gave the CFO oversight of toll operations, innovative finance and debt management (including the State Infrastructure Bank and investment functions), and grant management. Mr. Bass began his career with the Department in the summer of 1985 in the Fort Worth District and then worked part-time as an engineering aide for the Austin District while earning his bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Texas at Austin.  He was named Finance Division Director in 1999 and his title was changed to Chief Financial Officer in 2005.