Our mission is expanding public sector capacity to design and implement alternative financial strategies for delivering transportation infrastructure. We conduct research, deliver training, provide technical assistance, and develop tools to assist decisionmakers. These strategies are grouped into three program areas: public-private partnerships, project finance, and revenue.
The Center for Innovative Finance was established in October 2008 to provide a comprehensive set of tools and resources to assist the transportation community in exploring and implementing innovative strategies to deliver programs and projects. Within the Center, the FHWA Office of Innovative Finance assists customers in overcoming resource constraints, addressing energy and environmental considerations, and promoting efficiencies in program delivery.
Wes Breeding
Wes Breeding is the Acting Director of the Office of Financial Resources which oversees both the Office of Innovative Finance and the Office of Finance Discipline Support. Wes has been with FHWA since August 2014 and was previously the Technical Director of the Financial Services Team at the Resource Center. Prior to this assignment, he was the Director of the Budget Execution Division, Office of Administrative and Research Support, for the Environmental Protection Agency, supporting safe drinking water, clean air, climate change, and sustainable communities. Wes began his career by enlisting in the Air Force in 1985 and has been a federal employee in financial management since 1990. He has a broad background spanning budget, accounting, and finance, with varying assignments in field as well as headquarters organizations. Wesley.Breeding@dot.gov
Pete Mancauskas
Pete Mancauskas is Team Leader of the Office of Innovative Finance and specializes in Innovative Finance and Public Private Partnerships. As the Innovative Finance Team Lead, Pete also oversees the team regarding project finance techniques and value capture tools. He has been with FHWA for over a decade and has led a number of training and technical assistance initiatives both nationally and internationally. Before joining the CIFS team, Pete served as a Finance Manager and Program Development Team Leader. Prior to joining FHWA, Pete worked for Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DHS-ICE) within the CFO’s office. Peter.Mancauskas@dot.gov
Nefretiti Harrison
Nefretiti Harrison is a Program Manager and specializes in Innovative Matching Strategies, Grants +, and State Infrastructure Banks. With over a decade of experience at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Nefretiti is a seasoned expert in transportation policy, infrastructure finance, and intergovernmental affairs. She leads strategic initiatives to enhance financial innovations across national transportation programs. In this role, Nefretiti provides analysis and guidance on program effectiveness, financial metrics, and policy development, directly advising senior leadership to drive operational efficiency and innovation. She previously managed a diverse portfolio of highway and bridge projects, promoting federal credit programs and fostering public-private partnerships as a Senior Project Development Lead at the Build America Bureau. Nefretiti.Harrison@dot.gov
Jill Stark
Jill Stark is a Program Manager and specializes in Value Capture, addressing all modes, and linking Innovative Finance to Planning. Jill has been with FHWA for over 20 years. She recently served as the R&T Partnership Program Manager at Turner Fairbanks as the International liaison in research and technology. Before working at Turner Fairbanks, Jill spent nearly 20 years in Transportation Planning; first with the North Carolina Division and then in the headquarters’ office of HEP. She is an experienced leader in planning and innovative finance with a strong background in training international, State, rural, Tribal, and MPOs. Her specializations include value capture, innovative finance, planning and environment, research and technology, performance-based planning, and virtual public involvement. Jill.Stark@dot.gov
