В Кентукки назначен новый главный инженер дорожного управления первого округа

MAYFIELD, Ky. — Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman announced Monday that Mayfield native, Jason Looper, will serve as chief district engineer for the District 1 Department of Highways. According to a release from KYTC, Looper is a University of Kentucky mechanical engineering graduate and has been a KYTC employee for over two decades. Looper most recently served as branch manager for Project Delivery and Preservation Branch II, where he served for seven years and oversaw six counties. "On behalf of Team Kentucky, we're proud to have a seasoned expert like Jason step into the role," Goodman said in a statement. "We're confident Jason will help advance transportation in western Kentucky and build upon the great foundation Kyle laid as chief engineer to maintain safe roads and bridges for travelers. Looper replaces Kyle Poat, who is retiring after eight years in the role. "I'm honored to serve our district in this role, and I look forward to strengthening communities and building upon the relationships we have established with local officials across our 12 counties," Looper said in a release. Poat is a Paducah native and began serving with the cabinet following his graduation from the University of Kentucky in 2002. Poat served in a variety of capacities before becoming resident engineer in 2006. Poat later served as section engineer and branch manager for Project Delivery and Preservation. He became chief engineer in 2018, and was named "Engineer of the Year" by the Kentucky Association of Transportation Engineers. "District 1 is made up of dedicated men and women who show up every day with a commitment to public service and a willingness to step up when challenges arise," Poat said in a release. "I've been so blessed to be a part of such a great team, and I will always be an advocate for the important work being done to improve the lives of people across western Kentucky." Poat and the District 1 team partnered with Kentucky Emergency Management to spearhead the commonwealth's first ever sheltering mission "to provide travel trailer housing to survivors of the devastating December 2021 western Kentucky tornadoes."