Mayor Rawlings-Blake Names William Johnson as Director of Department of Transportation, Andrew Smullian as Deputy Chief of Legislative and Government Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT

Friday, May 10, 2013

Ryan O’Doherty

(410) 818-4269

ryan.odoherty@baltimorecity.gov 

BALTIMORE, MD. (MAY 10, 2013) – Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced the naming of William Johnson as director of the Baltimore City Department of Transportation, effective May 22. Mr. Johnson brings 20 years of experience in public transportation and infrastructure management. Mayor Rawlings-Blake also named Andrew Smullian as the new deputy chief of legislative and government affairs. He will represent the City before federal, state, and local legislative and executive branches, including the Baltimore City Council.

“William Johnson has many years of experience overseeing urban infrastructure projects, and he understands the complex needs of a growing city,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “Baltimore’s role as an economic engine for the state depends on our ability to maintain our roads to support the daily commute of workers, and the commerce moving in and out of our port every day. We look forward to working with Mr. Johnson to find new ways to grow the city by 10,000 families over the next ten years.”

“I want to thank Mayor Rawlings-Blake for selecting me for this important position. I am excited to meet residents, business leaders, and members of the City Council as we work to improve the quality of the roads and bridges in this great city,” Johnson said.

Johnson has over 20 years of public and private senior management experience in urban transportation, public works, and emergency preparation and response. Since 2005, he has served as senior manager for consulting services and emergency management with O’Brien’s Response Management. In that position, he worked with the State of Florida Department of Transportation to develop natural disaster response and recovery plans. Most recently, Johnson managed the inspection, assessment, and reconstruction of public buildings and infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey.

From 2000 through 2003, Johnson served as streets director for the City of Philadelphia, administering a $450 million annual budget and 2,300 full-time employees. His department was responsible for engineering, surveying, waste collection, street sweeping, snow removal, highway maintenance, highway and bridge construction, traffic engineering, and street lighting. During his tenure, Johnson identified millions in operational savings through a combination of process modification and contract restructuring.

Johnson began his career managing capital infrastructure projects in Northern California, including projects in the City of Oakland. He earned his masters of science in geological engineering from the University of Missouri in 1986 and his bachelor of science in engineering from the University of Mississippi in 1984. Johnson also completed the Program on Negotiation for Senior Executives at Harvard University in 1995.

Johnson replaces acting transportation director Frank Murphy, who has served in an interim capacity since the search process for a permanent director began. “I want to thank Frank Murphy and the leadership at the Department of Transportation for their efforts during the transition,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake.

Since 2010, Smullian served as senior political advisor and deputy director of the Mayor’s Office of Government Relations. From 2008 until 2010, he served as legislative director for then-City Council President Rawlings-Blake. 

Smullian earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 2007. He earned a bachelor of arts in government and politics from the University of Maryland College Park in 2002. Smullian was admitted to the Maryland State Bar in 2007.

“Andrew is a valuable member of my team who has developed great relationships with my colleagues in government,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “I am excited that he is taking on the responsibilities of this new role in the administration.”
 

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