WTS: Heart of Texas Chapter
March Meeting:
Hala Elgaaly, COO, FHWA TX Division

Hala Elgaaly, MSCE, PE
Chief Operating Officer, FHWA

The WTS - Heart of Texas Chapter is honored to present Hala Elgaaly as the featured speaker for our March 2016 luncheon program. 

Hala serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the FHWA Texas Division. In that capacity, she leads, oversees, and directs the day-to-day operations of a staff of approximately 50 transportation professionals delivering an annual $3 billion Federal-aid Highway Program in the state of Texas.  She is responsible for ensuring that program delivery and stewardship activities are consistent with Federal-aid requirements; Division priorities and resources are in alignment with the Agency’s Strategic Plan; and that the Division remains a value-added partner of TxDOT and transportation stakeholders in the state of Texas.

Is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Virginia and has a Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering from the George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan.

Has over thirty years of transportation experience with the federal government; twenty-five of which are with FHWA and the other five with the DHS U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).  Highlights of her experience include:

   FHWA National Review Team Leader [6/2012 - 12/2014],  led a team of 3-4 transportation specialists, at the GS-14 grade, within the Program Management Improvement Team, in the conduct of federal-aid program reviews that had broad impact on the delivery of complex transportation programs. Reviews conducted were at a national level and analyzed the efficiency, accountability, and transparency of transportation programs. The results of these reviews had broad impact on the delivery of complex transportation programs, and were an integral part of FHWA's stewardship and oversight of the Federal-aid Highway Program.

   Administrator USCG Bridge Program [5/2007 - 6/2012],  led the management, development and implementation of the overall USCG policy, procedures, budget, planning, recruitment and training for the nationwide Bridge Program, via a staff of approximately 14 HQ and 42 District based Bridge Management Specialists and Engineers.  As such, was responsible for ensuring that the multimodal transportation needs of the nation (marine, highway, and rail) were met and that proposed bridge projects crossing navigable waterways, and the operating schedule of drawbridges were in concert with the National Transportation Policy, the National Environmental Policy Act and the various other laws and regulations applicable to the program.

   Chief Bridge Engineer [4/2003 – 5/2007], in the FHWA, Federal Lands Highway (FLH) Bridge Office, a national program, serving 3 FLH Divisions,  led a staff of approximately 37  in providing bridge design and rehabilitation, bridge inspection, and bridge management services to partner agencies on projects in all 50 states.  Had the ultimate responsibility for all phases of structural engineering performed by the FLH Divisions, i.e. the planning, environmental, design, and construction phases, for structures, as well as for the FLH nationwide Bridge Inspection Program, in compliance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards. In addition, as a member of the Division Leadership Team, contributed to the development of and implemented the annual FLH Strategic Plan. Served as champion for the structural engineer discipline as a member of the FHWA Bridge Leadership Council.

   Structural Engineer, Eastern FLH Bridge Office [6/1985 - 4/2003], served in escalating roles and responsibility in the design and construction of bridges located on federally owned lands.  Joined the Bridge Office as a GS-09 bridge designer and rose to the GS-14 grade as the first FLHD Bridge Special Projects Engineer, a position created as a result of her selection for an in-place promotion through the FHWA Technical Career Track Program.