Executive Director

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.

Saenz is an active member of the University of Texas Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni, the Texas Transportation Institute Advisory Council, and currently serves as President of the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. In July 2010, the American Road and Transportation Builders Association named Saenz their Public Sector Person of the Year.

A native of Hebbronville, Saenz is a past member of the Laredo and Pharr Rotary and was active with the McAllen-area Boy Scouts. He served on the Civil Engineering External Advisory Committee for the University of Texas at Austin. He owns and operates a small cattle ranch in South Texas, and he enjoys horseback riding and hunting.
Saenz and his wife, Geraldine, have two children, Priscilla Marie and David Aaron.

You may contact Saenz by phone at (512) 305-9512 or by e-mail.