Jeffrey F. Paniati, P.E.

Executive Director

In April 2008, Jeff Paniati became Executive Director of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).  In this capacity, he manages the day-to-day operation of the agency, and assists the Acting Administrator in planning and establishing agency policies, objectives, and priorities.  He manages a $40 + billion annual budget and a workforce of approximately 2800 transportation professionals. 

Prior to his appointment as Executive Director, Mr. Paniati served as the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Associate Administrator for Operations. He directed a staff that provides national leadership for congestion pricing, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) deployment, congestion management, traffic operations, freight operations, emergency management, and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. 

For more than six years, Jeff led the Intelligent Transportation Systems Program across the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).  In this capacity, he directed the $200+ million annual Federal ITS program and directed the day-to-day operations of the ITS Joint Program Office.  Previously, Jeff served as Deputy Director of the ITS JPO for three years.

Before coming to the ITS JPO, Jeff held the position of Chief, Safety Design Division in the FHWA Office of Research and Development.  In this capacity he led the Agency’s efforts to develop new technologies, procedures, and methods to advance the state-of-art in highway safety.

Jeff has been very active in both the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) and the Transportation Research Board (TRB).  He has served as Chair of the TRB Committee on Safety Data, Analysis and Evaluation and as Chair of the ITE Traffic Engineering Council.  He is a past president of the Washington D.C. Section of ITE.

Jeff has received numerous performance and honor awards including the Secretary’s Award for Meritorious Achievement in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the ITS program and to USDOT, the Secretary’s Gold Medal Award for leadership in advancing the strategic goals of USDOT, and the prestigious Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Senior Professionals and Executives for exceptional long-term accomplishments and commitment to excellence in public service. 

Jeff has 25 years experience with FHWA.  He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland.  He is a registered professional engineer. He is married to Kim Paniati, and has two children, Lauren and Chris.