FHWA Works: Employee Spotlight - Hope Brooks

Full Name: Hope Brooks
Title: Program Analyst
Division/Department: Office of Planning, Environment & Realty
Location (City/State): Washington, DC

1. How long have you been in your role and how did you choose this transportation field?
   I was hired as a Program Analyst for the Research and Financial Services Team in September 2013. I previously worked as a Contract Specialist for The Department of Housing and Urban Development for 7 years. I was looking for something different; but still wanted to stay in the Federal Government.

2. What do you find interesting about your job and what do you do on daily basis?
   The thing that I find interesting about my job is that it more of a financial analyst role. My experience as a Contract Specialist was very helpful in understanding all the duties that I have. I am responsible for most of the financial reporting within the Office of Planning, Environment & Realty (HEP). Some of these responsibilities are managing the undelivered obligations within HEP and ensuring contracts are closed out or invoiced. This is important to ensure funds are being returned or spent in a timely manner. I am also the office's Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) responsible for overseeing the task orders that are awarded under its $15M ceiling. I also manage the Research Coordinator SharePoint site for our office. The site houses research, financial, acquisition documents and links that are useful resources to our HEP Research Coordinators and CORs.

3. What has been your biggest accomplishment over the last year?
   FHWA had completed an agency-wide SharePoint site conversion in the first quarter of 2021, which consisted of migrating the site from Microsoft 10 to the Microsoft Teams platform. My biggest accomplishment over the last year was to transfer and upload all research, financial, and acquisition related documents to the HEP Research Coordinator SharePoint site on the new platform.

4. Prior to working at FHWA, what was the most unusual or interesting job you've ever had?
   Years before working at FHWA, I worked as a Communications Representative for Verizon. I decided to quit to pursue my passion of becoming a make-up artist. I ended up working for a cosmetic company for 8 years and continued to work for the company part-time even after starting at FHWA.

5. What are your hobbies in your spare time?
   Some of my hobbies in my spare time include mini staycations with my husband and 2 kids, interior decorating (I watch lots of HGTV), online shopping, and having brunch with my girlfriends.

6. What is one of the biggest lessons you have learned in your career to get you where you are today?
   One of the biggest lessons I've learned to get me where I am today is to document all I do and keep important correspondence. This has helped me a tremendously throughout my career.

7. Complete this sentence: "People would be surprised if they knew..."
   People would be surprised if they knew I get bummed out when backgrounds are blurred out during virtual meetings. I love seeing a glimpse of my colleagues' real lives in the background. ☺