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 - Maria Ousley

Full Name: Maria Ousley
Title: Civil Engineer, Contracting Officer’s Representative
Division/Department: Central Federal Lands
Location (City/State): Carson City, NV

How long have you been in your role and how did you choose this transportation field?
I have been a Contracting Officer’s Representative since 2019. I started as Civil Engineer Intern in the summer of 2015 while attending university. At the time I was not sure if transportation was for me so I decided that an internship would be a good way to find out. At my first summer internship, I discovered a great affinity for the work I was doing in the field while on a paving project in California.
What do you find interesting about your job and what do you do on daily basis?
Traveling to different projects located in some of the most beautiful national forests and cities is like a vacation; it is great to see the transition of a project from beginning to end and knowing all of the details that contributed to the completion. Each project has its own unique challenges that keep my work interesting.

While in the field, my daily work includes attending the project operations to document the progress; reviewing the Contractor’s submittals to ensure compliance with specifications; responding to the Contractor’s inquiries; and if I don’t have the answer, I reach out to the FHWA team in the Lakewood, Colorado office. Also, I attend field meetings, including prework and weekly meetings.
What has been your biggest accomplishment over the last year?
I was able to manage my time well and complete two projects that overlapped for about one month.
Prior to working at FHWA, what was the most unusual or interesting job you've ever had?
I worked in refugee camps as an interpreter for the international assistance organizations.
What are your hobbies in your spare time?
My hobbies are mountain biking and grooming my cats.
What is one of the biggest lessons you have learned in your career to get you where you are today?
I have learned to be positive and have a can-do-it attitude; even if I am not sure, I should give it my best effort so that I don’t limit myself.
Complete this sentence: "People would be surprised if they knew..."
I stayed on El Capitan in the Yosemite Valley, California, for 17 days while climbing the formation with my husband for our honeymoon.

Other Employee Spotlights

Full Name: Ben Graybeal
Title: Team Leader, Bridge Engineering Research
Division/Department: Office of Infrastructure Research, Development, and Technology
Location (City/State): McLean, VA

Full Name: Justin Henwood
Title: Project Manager
Division/Department: Central Federal Lands Highway Division
Location (City/State): Lakewood, CO

Full Name: David Kall
Title: Environmental Protection Specialist
Division/Department: Office of Natural Environment, Air Quality and Noise Team
Location (City/State): Washington, DC

Full Name: Jean Landolt
Title: Program Coordinator
Division/Department: Office of Corporate Research, Technology, and Innovation Management
Location (City/State): McLean, VA

Full Name: Walter During, PE
Title: Transportation Specialist
Division/Department: Headquarters – Office of Operations
Location (City/State):Washington, DC

Full Name: Morgan L. Kessler
Title: Research Civil Engineer
Division/Department: Research, Development, and Technology–Infrastructure Office
Location (City/State): McLean, VA

Full Name: Vontra Giles
Title: Community Planner
Division/Department: FHWA Alabama Division
Location (City/State): Montgomery, AL

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

Full Name: Deborah Walker
Title: Research Civil Engineer
Division/Department: Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Location (City/State): McLean, Virginia

Full Name: Carol H. Tan, Ph.D.
Title:Team Leader, Safety Data & Analysis
Division/Department: Office of Safety Research and Development
Location: McLean, VA

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

Full Name: Hoda Azari, PH.D.
Title: Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Research Program Manager
Division/Department: Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Location: McLean, VA

Full Name: Jeremy Raw
Title: Community Planner
Division/Department: Systems Planning and Analysis Team, Office of Planning
Location: Washington, DC

Full Name: Joi Singh
Title: Realty Specialist
Division/Department:Office of Real Estate Services
Location: Washington, DC

Full Name: Stephanie Stoermer
Title: Environmental Program Specialist/Archaeologist
Division/Department: Environment, Air Quality & Realty Technical Services Team, Resource Center

Full Name: Justin Ocel
Title: Civil Engineer
Division/Department: Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center - Office of Infrastructure RD&T
Location: McLean, VA

Full Name: MaryAnn Carpenter
Title: Transportation Specialist/International Liaison
Division/Department: Federal Highway Administration
Location: Washington, DC

Full Name: Melinda Urban
Title: Senior Area Engineer
Division/Department: FHWA Colorado Division
Location: Lakewood, CO

Full Name: Monica Jurado
Title: Pavements and Materials Engineer
Division/Department: FHWA Resource Center
Location: El Paso, TX

Full Name: Al-Hasan Rashida
Title: Multimedia Specialist
Division/Department: Office of Management Services
Location: Washington, DC

Full Name: Neil Gaffney
Title: Public Affairs Specialist
Division/Department: Office of Public Affairs
Location: Washington, DC

Full Name: Susie Tingler
Title: Management Assistant
Division/Department: Director of Field Services
Location: Baltimore, MD

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

Full Name: Rebecca T. Crowe (Becky)
Title: Transportation Specialist
Division/Department: Office of Safety
Location: ADL- Virginia Division; Richmond, VA

Full Name: Jihan Kamel Noizet
Title: Transportation Specialist
Division/Department: Office of International Programs
Location: Washington, DC

Full Name: Todd Kohr
Title: Legislative Analysis Team Leader
Division/Department: Office of Policy and Governmental Affairs
Location: Washington, DC

Full Name: Agnes R. Vélez
Title: Transportation Specialist
Division/Department: Office of International Programs
Location: Washington, DC

Full Name: Kelly Keele, P.E.
Title: Highway Design Manager
Division/Department: Central Federal Lands (CFL) Highway Division
Location: Lakewood, CO

Full Name: Thao Truong, P.E.
Title: Highway Designer
Division/Department: Western Federal Lands Highway Division
Location (City/State): Vancouver, WA

Full Name: Terry Schumann
Title: Environmental Protection Specialist
Division/Department: Federal Lands Highway, Office of Tribal Transportation
Location (City/State): Portland, OR

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

Full Name: Yan "Jane" Jiang
Title:Senior Research Civil Engineer
Division/Department: Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Location (City/State): McLean, VA

Full Name: Karen M. Brunelle
Title: Director, Office of Project Development
Division/Department: FHWA, Florida Division
Location (City/State): Tallahassee, FL

Full Name: Zachary Haber, Ph.D.
Title: Research Structural Engineer
Division/Department: Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Location (City/State): McLean, VA

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

Full Name: Gail Edwards
Title: Communications Specialist
Division/Department: Office of Public Affairs
Location: Washington, DC

Full Name: Jean Nehme
Title: Team Leader
Division/Department: Office of Research, Technology, and Development
Location (City/State): McLean, VA

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

Full Name: Abdul Zineddin, Ph.D.
Title: Transportation Specialist
Division/Department: Office of Safety R&D
Location: McLean, VA

Full Name: Taylor Lochrane
Title: Technical Manager
Division/Department: Office of Operation Research and Development
Location: McLean, VA

Full Name: Dan Mathis
Title: Division Administrator
Division/Department: Washington Division
Location: Olympia, WA

Full Name: Bruce Moody
Title: Program Management Analyst
Division/Department: Oregon and Washington Divisions
Location: Salem, OR

Full Name: Joey Hartmann
Title: Director of the Office of Bridges and Structures
Division/Department: Office of Infrastructure
Location: Washington, DC

Full Name: Doug Hecox
Title: Spokesman
Division/Department: Federal Highway Administration
Location: Washington, DC

Full Name: Tom White
Title: Social Media Coordinator
Division/Department: Office of Public Affairs
Location: Washington, DC

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

Full Name: LaToya Hines
Title: Staff Assistant to the FHWA Administrator
Division/Department: Office of the Administrator
Location: Washington, DC

Full Name: Travis Thomas
Title: Lead IT Specialist
Division/Department: Office of Information Technology Service/Office of Administration (HAD)
Location: Washington, DC

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

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

Full Name: Trinette D. Ballard
Title: Marketing and Communications Specialist
Division/Department: FHWA Florida Division
Location: Tallahassee, Florida

Full Name: Juan C. Garcia
Title: Multimedia Specialist
Division/Department: Management Services/Office of Administration (HAD)
Location: Washington, DC

Full Name: Kirsten Poston
Title: Disability Policy Analyst
Division/Department: Office of Civil Rights
Location: Washington, DC

	Full Name: Cynthia L. Essenmacher Title: Federal Tolling Program Manager Division/Department: Headquarters – Office of Operations Location: Lansing, Michigan
	Full Name: Maria Ousley Title: Civil Engineer, Contracting Officer's Representative Division/Department: Central Federal Lands Location: Carson City, NV

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Page posted on January 13, 2022