|
 Mary
M. Owen, P.E., is district engineer for the
Tyler District of the Texas
Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The district comprises Anderson, Cherokee,
Gregg, Henderson, Rusk, Smith, Van Zandt and Wood counties. Owen became district
engineer in October 1995.
After earning her bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of
Texas at Austin in 1982, Owen joined TxDOT's Dallas District as an engineering
assistant. She was the district public transportation grant manager and
environmental coordinator. In 1987, Owen became assistant district planning
engineer and subsequently introduced the concept of project public forums to
TxDOT.
While serving as project engineer in Dallas, Owen developed and implemented
innovative methods to encourage comprehensive public involvement, and detailed
development strategies for large-scale multi-jurisdiction freeway reconstruction
projects. She initiated and organized the LBJ Freeway (Interstate 635) Project
Office.
From 1993 to 1995, Owen was El Paso district engineer, responsible for
department activities in Brewster, Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis and
Presidio counties. While there, partnerships with the public were initiated
through the Citizen Advisory Team and Speakers Bureau. Additionally, the El Paso
Interstate 10 Master Plan for Aesthetic Improvements was begun. Innovative
design and color are now community signatures along I-10 in El Paso.
Owen earned her bachelor's degree in public administration from the University
of Texas at Dallas in 1989 before earning a master’s degree in civil engineering
from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1991.
Born in Huntsville, AL, Owen enjoys water skiing and snow skiing, playing piano
and flute, scuba diving, aviation, and organizing and directing church hand-bell
choirs. Owen is a Junior Achievement counselor, a board member for the American
Red Cross and Tyler Rotary Club, and a member of the Institute of Transportation
Engineers.
Owen and her husband, Duke, live in Tyler and have two daughters. |
