News - Aaron Johnson leads MDOT Superior Region

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                          FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016 

CONTACT: Dan Weingarten, MDOT Office of Communications, 906-250-4809
                       weingartend@michigan.gov  

Aaron Johnson tapped to lead MDOT Superior Region

Fast facts:
- Aaron Johnson has been appointed as MDOT's new Superior Region engineer.
- Johnson served most recently as manager of the Ishpeming Transportation Service Center.
- Johnson began transitioning into his new role Oct. 31.

November 18, 2016 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has named Aaron Johnson as Superior Region engineer. Johnson will succeed Randy Van Portfliet, who is retiring Dec. 31 after nearly 40 years at MDOT.
           As MDOT's top administrator in the region, Johnson will be responsible for more than 1,900 miles of state trunkline in all 15 Upper Peninsula counties, 187 employees, a capital improvement program of approximately $50 million, and an annual maintenance budget of more than $33 million.
           "I have the utmost respect for Aaron," Van Portfliet said, "And I'm confident he will continue to focus on building transportation partnerships, doing a great job for MDOT and our customers."
           A Bruce Crossing native, Johnson is a graduate of Michigan Technological University and has 18 years of experience at MDOT, most recently as manager of the Ishpeming Transportation Service Center (TSC). Johnson's prior MDOT posts include Superior Region Operations engineer, Ishpeming TSC Traffic and Safety engineer, Maintenance engineer with the Brighton TSC, and Bridge Design engineer in the Design Division. In addition, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army. He is former chair of the Upper Peninsula Traffic Safety Committee, serves on the US-41 and M-26 corridor groups, MDOT's statewide Multimodal Development and Delivery Team, and Statewide Performance-Based Maintenance Team, and is a certified trainer for the Michigan Traffic Incident Management Effort. In addition, he is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
           "I am thrilled to accept this position," Johnson said. "MDOT is very close to its customers in the Upper Peninsula and I look forward to working with them and with local agencies and contractors region-wide."
           Johnson will be transitioning into his new role over the course of the next six weeks, working closely with Van Portfliet prior to his retirement.

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 Aaron Johnson (MDOT photo)

 

 Aaron Johnson speaks at a recent statewide MDOT conference. (MDOT photo)

Higher-resolution photos attached:

• Aaron+Johnson.jpg
• Aaron+Johnson+2.jpg