MoDOT director Pete Rahn announces resignation

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission today announced the resignation of Pete Rahn as director of the Missouri Department of Transportation. Rahn’s resignation will be effective April 23, 2010.

“It’s with a very heavy heart that we have accepted Pete’s resignation,” said Rudy Farber, chairman of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission in a written statement. “We want to thank him for his outstanding service to Missouri and certainly wish him well in his new career and in having more quality time to spend with his family.

“His innovative and highly effective leadership was exactly what was needed to handle the challenges MoDOT faced when he became director,” Farber continued. “As a result, Missouri’s transportation system is now in much better shape and MoDOT has reestablished a positive reputation with the public.”

The commission will name an interim director and undertake a national search for Rahn’s replacement.

“MoDOT is a tremendous organization filled with talented and dedicated employees,” Rahn said in a press release. “I feel very fortunate I have been allowed to associate with these exceptional people.”

Rahn has served as director since September 2004. He will be assuming a position of senior vice president with HNTB, a Kansas City-based engineering firm. He will lead HNTB’s national transportation practice.

“I am excited about the opportunity to take on the very challenging role being offered to me by HNTB,” Rahn said.