WASHINGTON — The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine announced today that, following a national search, Victoria Sheehan will join the organization as the new executive director of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) on Dec. 5, 2022.

Sheehan comes to the National Academies from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (DOT), which she has led as its commissioner for the past seven years. Responsible for an operating budget of over $650 million, she oversees a staff of more than 1,600 employees representing diverse areas such as aeronautics, rail, transit, construction, operations, finance, and administration. Her team led the development of New Hampshire’s Ten-Year Transportation Plan, and Sheehan worked directly with the governor, general court, and executive council to ensure it would address the state’s growing needs.

Before joining the New Hampshire DOT, Sheehan spent 10 years at the Massachusetts DOT leading strategic planning and highway performance, managing the bridge consulting program, and overseeing an eight-year, $3 billion Accelerated Bridge Program. Sheehan served as president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) for 2020-2021 and has been an active board member in a range of other professional organizations. She holds a master’s degree in structural engineering and architecture from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

“We are excited that Victoria will be joining our leadership team,” said Gregory Symmes, chief program officer of the National Academies. “Her experience with complex, multifaceted projects and organizations will bring important skills not only to TRB, but to the important cross-disciplinary work that is necessary to address the implications for transportation of the ongoing challenges of climate change, pandemics, diversity, and economic growth.”

“Through our discussions about industry issues, and her track record at New Hampshire Department of Transportation and AASHTO, I am confident Victoria is an excellent choice to lead TRB in its crucial mission of providing transportation professionals with the research and advice they will need to address our shared challenges,” said Nathaniel P. Ford, chair of the TRB Executive Committee and chief executive officer of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority.

Sheehan will succeed Neil Pedersen, who has served as TRB’s executive director for nearly eight years.

TRB is a program unit of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine — private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, technology, and medicine. The National Academies operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln.

Contact:
Dana Korsen, Director of Media Relations
Office of News and Public Information
202-334-2138; news@nas.edu