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NEWS: State Transportation Director Ajegba receives top honor from COMTO in Southfield
Michigan DOT sent this bulletin at 04/29/2019 10:35 AM EDT
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2019
CONTACT: Jeff Cranson, MDOT Director of Communications
517-648-8247, CransonJ@Michigan.gov
State Transportation Director Ajegba receives top honor
from COMTO in Southfield
Fast facts:
- State Transportation Director Paul. C Ajegba has been honored with the 2019 Pioneer Award by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO).
- Ajegba was recognized for his work in encouraging and promoting diversity in the transportation industry and within MDOT projects and programs.
- MDOT and partner Somat Engineering, Inc. were honored with COMTO's Innovative Project of the Year award.
April 29, 2019 -- State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba was honored by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) at its annual Pioneer Award Dinner on Tuesday, April 23, in Southfield. Ajegba received COMTO's highest honor, the 2019 Pioneer Award, for his work in encouraging and promoting diversity in the transportation industry and within Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) projects and programs.
MDOT and partner Somat Engineering, Inc. were honored with COMTO's Innovative Project of the Year award for the I-94/M-106 (Cooper Street) interchange project in Jackson County, specifically for dealing with voids left over in the work area by nearby coal mining.
"I'm honored and proud to be recognized by COMTO with this year's Pioneer Award," said Ajegba. "Equal opportunity and inclusion are vital for our workforce. Removing barriers for students looking to enter the transportation industry is so important for the future of Michigan, as well as the nation."
A Prairie View A&M University and University of Michigan graduate, Ajegba has been with MDOT for 28 years. He was appointed director by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Jan. 1, 2019, after previously serving for three months as Metro Region engineer and before that as University Region engineer. He has been recognized for his tremendous efforts in creating the MDOT Diversity Recruitment Program, which is a partnership between MDOT and colleges and universities throughout the state. The program offers valuable on-the-job training and job shadowing to undergraduate students pursuing degrees in engineering and other transportation-related careers.
During Ajegba's seven years in the University Region, he oversaw his team's involvement in the planning, design and construction of several major projects, including the US-23 Flex Route - a project nominated for the America's Transportation Award, landing among the top 12 national finalists. His other notable projects include the I-94 rehabilitation project in Ann Arbor/Jackson, the I-96/US-23 interchange, and the I-75 freeway project.
COMTO was founded in 1971 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., to provide a forum for senior-level minority professionals in the transportation industry. For more information on COMTO, visit www.comto.org.
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State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba with his 2019 Pioneer Award, the highest award from the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO).
© 2019 MDOT Photography Unit