Kentucky’s 2017 Civil Engineer Professional Recognition Award
Nancy Albright, MSCE, PE
Nancy graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, and obtained her Master of Science in Civil Engineering in 1992. A transportation scholarship student with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), she began her career with the KYTC as a student and stayed with the KYTC upon graduation. Early in her career, she accepted a position in the State Highway Engineer’s Office, responding to technical questions from citizens, other Cabinets, and legislators. She developed a wide knowledge of the KYTC operations across all divisions and propelled her array of skills even further through her work with other agencies including the Federal Highway Administration and neighboring Departments of Transportation. She developed a reputation as a collaborator with a passion for the mission of the KYTC, its employees, and the citizens of Kentucky.
As the Intelligent Transportation Systems Branch Manager, she oversaw the TRIMARC regional traffic management system deployment in Louisville and worked on the statewide launch of the KY 511 traveler information system and the deployment of the ARTIMIS traffic management system. She served as the Director of the Division of Maintenance for eight years which included the direct oversight of the twelve maintenance programs involving over $300 million annually with 45-60 employees and contractors. This covered everything from bridge maintenance, winter weather and emergency responses, rest areas and median maintenance, permits, and pavement restoration. She retired from KYTC in 2015 as the Deputy State Highway Engineer for Operations and Maintenance, working with cabinet leadership on adequate funding for state transportation maintenance. She worked briefly with CDM Smith in Lexington, and is currently with the Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) at the University of Kentucky. In this role, she continues her dedication to the mission of better transportation, serving as a research engineer with the Special Projects and Initiatives program.
She has served on numerous committees and in various leadership roles in the Kentucky Section and Frankfort branch of ASCE including State President, Frankfort Branch president, Chairman of the Scholarship Committee and the Awards Committee. She was dedicated to the scholarship program and mentoring program at the KYTC, actively participating as a young engineer, and providing leadership as she advanced within the KYTC. She is active with the Kentucky Association of Transportation Engineers, Kentuckians for Better Transportation, and served as the KYTC member on the AASHTO Subcommittee on Maintenance. She was named the KY ASCE Outstanding Engineer in Government twice and in 2001 was named the Outstanding Young Civil Engineer of the Year by the University of Kentucky.
As a leader and a role model, mentor, engineer, and dedicated public servant Nancy’s service and dedication to the civil engineering profession is greatly appreciated.