Victor Mendez became the Federal Highway Administrator on July 17, 2009.

Previously, Mr. Mendez served as Director of the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). Starting with ADOT in 1985 as an engineer, he became Director in November 2001. As Director, Mr. Mendez worked to improve the agency's customer service in both its highway and motor vehicle divisions. Under his leadership, ADOT built the Regional Freeway System in the Phoenix area six years ahead of schedule and consistently delivered statewide construction programs on time.

In 2006, Mr. Mendez was elected president of both the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, its national counterpart. He chaired its Standing Committee on Research, the Operations Council of the Standing Committee on Highways, and the oversight group for the TRB Long-Term Pavement Performance program.

Mr. Mendez earned a civil engineering degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and later earned an MBA from Arizona State University.