Amadeo Saenz Jr., P.E., is executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Under Texas Transportation Commission direction, he manages, directs, and implements TxDOT policies, programs, and operating strategies. He also represents TxDOT before the Texas Legislature and other entities. He became executive director Oct. 1, 2007.

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering (with honors) at the University of Texas at Austin, Saenz joined TxDOT in 1978 in the Pharr District as an engineering laboratory assistant. Working within the district, he progressed through various positions including engineering assistant, assistant area engineer, assistant field operations engineer, and area engineer.

He was named district engineer in the Pharr District in October 1993. He held this position until his appointment as Assistant Executive Director for Engineering Operations in Austin, which became effective Nov. 1, 2001. In this role, he implemented and managed TxDOT’s engineering operations policies, programs and operating strategies according to federal and state laws and Texas Transportation Commission regulations and directives.