Melisa L. Ridenour, P.E.
Division Director,
Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division
As the Division Director of Eastern Federal Lands since 2002, Melisa has gained a much greater appreciation for ensuring that transportation facilities live in harmony with the environment they serve. It is an honor to develop innovative transportation solutions so travelers appreciate the journey as much as the destination – building accessible and scenic roads so everyone has an opportunity to enjoy the national treasures within our Federal lands.
Her entire career has been with the Federal Highway Administration where she has seen how essential transportation is to everyone's life –- whether it is to go to work, school, enjoyment or to obtain the items you need to live. As the Division Director, she has the wonderful task of working with exemplary staff in the planning, design and construction of roads on Federal and Tribal lands in the 31 eastern States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. She began her career as a highway engineer intern in 1983 then expanded her experience by holding several positions throughout the Agency in numerous locations (12 in fact). This has included being a Division Administrator in the Rhode Island Division, the Assistant Division Administrator in Idaho, District Engineer in the Florida Division, a Construction & Maintenance Program Manager in Headquarters, and an Area Engineer in the West Virginia Division. Through her many moves, she understands that each state, park, refuge, forest or city/town has unique issues that must be recognized in delivering the transportation program. She has enjoyed all of her jobs immensely, which has greatly enhanced the results achieved for the Agency.
Melisa received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from West Virginia University and obtained her professional engineering license in 1988. She then obtained her Masters in Business Administration from Averett College in 1992. She is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute in 2004, AASHTO Management Institute in 1998 and the Executive Potential Program in 1999.
Melisa looks forward to working with her partners in designing and building roads that are a pleasure to see and drive – meeting today's standards on yesterday's roads.