U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4000


Skip to content
Facebook iconYouTube iconTwitter iconFlickr iconLinkedInInstagram

FHWA Works: Careers in Motion

Home / Careers / Careers in Motion / Employee Spotlight

Road sign: CAREERS AHEAD

Welcome to the "FHWA Works: Careers in Motion Employee Spotlight" series, a look into the careers and lives of Federal Highway Administration employees. Each month, we will introduce you to one of nearly 3,000 FHWA colleagues and highlight the important work they do. Our employees come from all corners of the agency but all offer the same, yet unique sense of dedication and professionalism, all while keeping America's roads and bridges safe.

Check out whose career is in motion and how #FHWAWorks! Discover exactly why our agency is consistently highly ranked as one of the "Best Places to Work in Federal Government!"

To learn more about how FHWA Works, explore the video series on YouTube or FHWA's LinkedIn page.


FHWA Works: Employee Spotlight - Michelle Arnold, Ph.D.

Photo of Michelle Arnold, Ph.D.

Full Name: Michelle Arnold, Ph.D.
Title: Research Transportation Specialist
Division/Department: Office of Safety, Research & Development
Location (City/State): McLean, VA

  1. What is your current position and how long have you been in this role?
    My current position is a research transportation specialist on the Human Factors team at Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center. I joined Federal Highway Administration's Office of Safety R&D in 2014. My experiences in research include driving simulation studies and human factors research projects using the Sign Lab, and field research vehicles. I’m also the FHWA technical lead for the Traffic Control Devices Pooled Fund Study (TCD PFS) Consortium, lead projects in connected/automated vehicle research and continue to manage projects related to visibility and driving behavioral data.

  2. What is your typical workday like?
    In my role as a researcher, I lead multiple research projects and many of these are conducted in our Human Factors Labs–so constant communication with our onsite support staff is key. As I lead and manage this research, I’m involved in all aspects from beginning to end. I read and review a variety of deliverables (including literature reviews, research plans, and research reports) and also write technical reports. I work to disseminate these results by sharing the knowledge to others within and outside of FHWA. Our human factors program within FHWA is a support program for other offices and it is necessary to collaborate, so I also serve as technical reviewer for multiple projects within FHWA and sometimes outside of FHWA.

  3. What has been your biggest accomplishment over the last year? Each year our TCD PFS Consortium has an annual meeting. This pooled fund has roughly 30 members of regional, state, and local entities, appropriate organizations, and the FHWA; and the meeting takes place at a different location in April or May each year. The planning that goes into this annual meeting is extensive. Although I have a wonderful support team who help to make this annual meeting happen, it still involves a lot of oversight and making sure the different components all line up as this meeting is planned. I’m happy to say that this year’s meeting is planned and ready to begin.

  4. Prior to working at FHWA, what was the most unusual or interesting job you've ever had?
    In graduate school I was the first person in our psychology lab to conduct research using our new driving simulator. Since I was the first person to tackle research using this tool, and the only person at that time who wanted to pursue transportation safety research using the simulator, I was given full reign to find gaps in the literature in areas of interest and learn about the simulator on my own. I spent numerous hours exploring ways to program the computer simulations and was given permission to hire undergraduates to help with my research. As a fresh new graduate student, this was the best experience for me because I learned a lot on my own but also had full support of my advisor and helping hands to perform a variety of research.

  5. What are your hobbies in your spare time?
    I enjoy spending time with my husband and toddler. With a toddler in the house, my hobbies are centered around activities he likes to do such as playing outdoors or going to parks and zoos. I am also expecting twins any day now, but prior to this, I enjoyed being outdoors and doing activities such as hiking or playing sports. I hope to get back into doing these things after the twins are born.

  6. What is one of the biggest lessons you have learned in your career to get you where you are today?
    There are a few things I’ve learned in my career and one such thing is to not be afraid to say yes even when you don’t feel comfortable performing the task. This is how I learned many different areas that have helped me to learn new things, to build my repertoire and expertise in research, and constantly evolve. Another lesson is to always give credit where credit’s due and be appreciative of those who help you along the way. I believe you go far in life doing good work and always thanking and showing appreciation for those who’ve helped you and then reciprocate and help others when they need it.

  7. Who do you admire in the transportation field and why?
    I admire a lot of people in the transportation field but I believe the person I admire the most is my graduate advisor, Dr. Ron Van Houten. He carries a passion for this field and is always trying to find new ways to save people’s lives in transportation research. I strive to be like him in my career.

  8. Complete this sentence: "People would be surprised if they knew..."
    When I was young, my dream job was to be a member of the Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol. I thought it’d be fulfilling to hop out of a van and surprise winners with large oversized checks and big bouquets of flowers and see the happy faces of the winners.

Other Employee Spotlights

Ben Graybeal Full Name: Ben Graybeal
Title: Team Leader, Bridge Engineering Research
Division/Department: Office of Infrastructure Research, Development, and Technology
Location (City/State): McLean, VA
Justin Henwood Full Name: Justin Henwood
Title: Project Manager
Division/Department: Central Federal Lands Highway Division
Location (City/State): Lakewood, CO
Dean Kall Full Name: David Kall
Title: Environmental Protection Specialist
Division/Department: Office of Natural Environment, Air Quality and Noise Team
Location (City/State): Washington, DC
Jean Landolt Full Name: Jean Landolt
Title: Program Coordinator
Division/Department: Office of Corporate Research, Technology, and Innovation Management
Location (City/State): McLean, VA
Walter During, PE Full Name: Walter During, PE
Title: Transportation Specialist
Division/Department: Headquarters – Office of Operations
Location (City/State):Washington, DC
Morgan L. Kessler Full Name: Morgan L. Kessler
Title: Research Civil Engineer
Division/Department: Research, Development, and Technology–Infrastructure Office
Location (City/State): McLean, VA
Vontra Giles Full Name: Vontra Giles
Title: Community Planner
Division/Department: FHWA Alabama Division
Location (City/State): Montgomery, AL
Ana Maria Eigen Full Name: Ana Maria Eigen, D.Sc.
Title: Research Highway Safety Specialist
Division/Department: Office of Safety Research and Development
Location (City/State): McLean, VA
Deborah Walker Full Name: Deborah Walker
Title: Research Civil Engineer
Division/Department: Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Location (City/State): McLean, Virginia

Carol H. Tan, Ph.D. Full Name: Carol H. Tan, Ph.D.
Title:Team Leader, Safety Data & Analysis
Division/Department: Office of Safety Research and Development
Location: McLean, VA
David Mensching Full Name: David Mensching, Ph.D., P.E.
Title: Asphalt Materials Research Program Manager
Division/Department: Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Location (City/State): McLean, VA
Hoda Azari, PH.D. Full Name: Hoda Azari, PH.D.
Title: Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Research Program Manager
Division/Department: Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Location: McLean, VA
Jeremy Raw Full Name: Jeremy Raw
Title: Community Planner
Division/Department: Systems Planning and Analysis Team, Office of Planning
Location: Washington, DC
Stephanie Stoermer Full Name: Joi Singh
Title: Realty Specialist
Division/Department:Office of Real Estate Services
Location: Washington, DC
Stephanie Stoermer Full Name: Stephanie Stoermer
Title: Environmental Program Specialist/Archaeologist
Division/Department: Environment, Air Quality & Realty Technical Services Team, Resource Center
Justin Ocel Full Name: Justin Ocel
Title: Civil Engineer
Division/Department: Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center - Office of Infrastructure RD&T
Location: McLean, VA
MaryAnn Carpenter Full Name: MaryAnn Carpenter
Title: Transportation Specialist/International Liaison
Division/Department: Federal Highway Administration
Location: Washington, DC
Melinda Urban Full Name: Melinda Urban
Title: Senior Area Engineer
Division/Department: FHWA Colorado Division
Location: Lakewood, CO
Monica Jurado Full Name: Monica Jurado
Title: Pavements and Materials Engineer
Division/Department: FHWA Resource Center
Location: El Paso, TX
Al-Hasan Rashida Full Name: Al-Hasan Rashida
Title: Multimedia Specialist
Division/Department: Office of Management Services
Location: Washington, DC
Neil Gaffney Full Name: Neil Gaffney
Title: Public Affairs Specialist
Division/Department: Office of Public Affairs
Location: Washington, DC
Susie Tingler Full Name: Susie Tingler
Title: Management Assistant
Division/Department: Director of Field Services
Location: Baltimore, MD
Christopher Douwes Full Name: Christopher Douwes
Title: Community Planner; commonly known as the Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails Program Manager
Division/Department: Office of Human Environment
Location: Washington, DC
Rebecca T. Crowe Full Name: Rebecca T. Crowe (Becky)
Title: Transportation Specialist
Division/Department: Office of Safety
Location: ADL- Virginia Division; Richmond, VA
Jihan Kamel Noizet Full Name: Jihan Kamel Noizet
Title: Transportation Specialist
Division/Department: Office of International Programs
Location: Washington, DC
Todd Kohr Full Name: Todd Kohr
Title: Legislative Analysis Team Leader
Division/Department: Office of Policy and Governmental Affairs
Location: Washington, DC
Agnes Vélez Full Name: Agnes R. Vélez
Title: Transportation Specialist
Division/Department: Office of International Programs
Location: Washington, DC
Kelly Keele Full Name: Kelly Keele, P.E.
Title: Highway Design Manager
Division/Department: Central Federal Lands (CFL) Highway Division
Location: Lakewood, CO
Photo of Thao Truong, P.E. Full Name: Thao Truong, P.E.
Title: Highway Designer
Division/Department: Western Federal Lands Highway Division
Location (City/State): Vancouver, WA
Photo of Terry Schumann Full Name: Terry Schumann
Title: Environmental Protection Specialist
Division/Department: Federal Lands Highway, Office of Tribal Transportation
Location (City/State): Portland, OR
Photo of Hope Brooks Full Name: Hope Brooks
Title: Program Analyst
Division/Department: Office of Planning, Environment & Realty
Location (City/State): Washington, DC
Photo of Yan "Jane" Jiang Full Name: Yan "Jane" Jiang
Title:Senior Research Civil Engineer
Division/Department: Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Location (City/State): McLean, VA
Photo of Karen M. Brunelle Full Name: Karen M. Brunelle
Title: Director, Office of Project Development
Division/Department: FHWA, Florida Division
Location (City/State): Tallahassee, FL
Photo of Zachary Haber, Ph.D. Full Name: Zachary Haber, Ph.D.
Title: Research Structural Engineer
Division/Department: Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Location (City/State): McLean, VA

Photo of  Melonie Barrington Full Name: Melonie Barrington
Title: Training Program Manager
Division/Department: National Highway Institute
Location (City/State): Arlington, VA

Photo of  Gail Edwards Full Name: Gail Edwards
Title: Communications Specialist
Division/Department: Office of Public Affairs
Location: Washington, DC
Photo of Jean Nehme Full Name: Jean Nehme
Title: Team Leader
Division/Department: Office of Research, Technology, and Development
Location (City/State): McLean, VA
Photo of Michelle Arnold, Ph.D. Full Name: Michelle Arnold, Ph.D.
Title: Research Transportation Specialist
Division/Department: Office of Safety, Research & Development
Location (City/State): McLean, VA
Photo of Abdul Zineddin, Ph.D. Full Name: Abdul Zineddin, Ph.D.
Title: Transportation Specialist
Division/Department: Office of Safety R&D
Location: McLean, VA
Photo of Taylor Lochrane Full Name: Taylor Lochrane
Title: Technical Manager
Division/Department: Office of Operation Research and Development
Location: McLean, VA
Photo of Dan Mathis Full Name: Dan Mathis
Title: Division Administrator
Division/Department: Washington Division
Location: Olympia, WA
Photo of Bruce Moody Full Name: Bruce Moody
Title: Program Management Analyst
Division/Department: Oregon and Washington Divisions
Location: Salem, OR
Photo of Joey Hartmann Full Name: Joey Hartmann
Title: Director of the Office of Bridges and Structures
Division/Department: Office of Infrastructure
Location: Washington, DC
Photo of Doug Hecox Full Name: Doug Hecox
Title: Spokesman
Division/Department: Federal Highway Administration
Location: Washington, DC
Photo of Tome White Full Name: Tom White
Title: Social Media Coordinator
Division/Department: Office of Public Affairs
Location: Washington, DC
Photo of Norah Ocel Full Name: Norah M. Ocel, P.E.
Title: Transportation Operations Team Leader/Highway Safety Engineer
Division/Department: Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division
Location: Sterling, Virginia
Photo of LaToya Hines Full Name: LaToya Hines
Title: Staff Assistant to the FHWA Administrator
Division/Department: Office of the Administrator
Location: Washington, DC
Photo of Travis Thomas Full Name: Travis Thomas
Title: Lead IT Specialist
Division/Department: Office of Information Technology Service/Office of Administration (HAD)
Location: Washington, DC
Roger Ryder Full Name: Roger Ryder
Title: Senior Stewardship Advisor/Director of Operations [currently Territorial Program Manager]
Division/Department: FHWA Pennsylvania Division [currently FHWA PR & USVI Division]
Location: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Jennifer Nicks Full Name: Jennifer Nicks, PhD, PE
Title: Research Geotechnical Engineer
Division/Department: Office of Infrastructure Research & Development (R&D)
Location: Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center,
McLean, Virginia
Trinette D. Ballard Full Name: Trinette D. Ballard
Title: Marketing and Communications Specialist
Division/Department: FHWA Florida Division
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Jaun C. Garcia Full Name: Juan C. Garcia
Title: Multimedia Specialist
Division/Department: Management Services/Office of Administration (HAD)
Location: Washington, DC
Photo of Kirsten Poston Full Name: Kirsten Poston
Title: Disability Policy Analyst
Division/Department: Office of Civil Rights
Location: Washington, DC
Cynthia L. Essenmacher Full Name: Cynthia L. Essenmacher
Title: Federal Tolling Program Manager
Division/Department: Headquarters – Office of Operations
Location: Lansing, Michigan
Maria Ousley Full Name: Maria Ousley
Title: Civil Engineer, Contracting Officer's Representative
Division/Department: Central Federal Lands
Location: Carson City, NV
  U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration - Careers in Motion  
Page last modified on May 8, 2019
Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000