Under Texas Transportation Commission direction, Saenz 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. He progressed through various positions including engineering assistant, 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 2001. In this role, Saenz 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. He is the current president of the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (WASHTO).