Jolene M. Molitoris
Director
Ohio Department of Transportation
Nationally recognized for her historic leadership in the transportation industry, Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jolene M. Molitoris strengthens Governor Strickland’s commitment to moving Ohio into a prosperous new world, by investing in a safer, more multi-modal, greener transportation system to create jobs and revitalize Ohio’s cities and towns.
Ms. Molitoris was appointed Director in January 2009, giving her the distinction as the first woman director since the establishment of the Ohio Department of Highways in 1905.
Under Director Molitoris’ leadership, ODOT is delivering on time, on budget, and at the highest level of quality, the largest construction program in Ohio history – 30 percent larger than at any other time in state history – with personnel levels at a 30 year low. Bolstered by federal stimulus funds dedicated through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, these investments are being made in every region of the state and in every mode of Ohio’s multi-modal transportation system.
Director Molitoris and the ODOT team have been nationally recognized for maximizing the flexibility of these federal transportation stimulus funds, with a diverse mix of state and locally-administered projects representing one of the most multi-modal investment portfolios in the nation. “Because of the lessons ODOT learned from the Recovery Act, working faster, more collaboratively, transparently, and multi-modally have become the norm not the exception,” Director Molitoris is often quoted as saying.
Transforming the department into a “21st Century ODOT to meet Ohio’s 21st Century multi-modal transportation needs,” Director Molitoris has launched several key initiatives, including creation of a new ODOT Office of Maritime, a new Office of Innovation, Partnership and Energy, a first-ever ODOT Economic Development Liaison, and a new Division of Equal Opportunity – at the forefront of the department’s efforts to promote diversity, eliminate discrimination, and encourage more disadvantaged and minority businesses to do work with the state.
Director Molitoris is also leading the state’s efforts to secure a share of the $8 billion in stimulus funds designated for high speed rail, as Ohio seeks to re-establish passenger rail service along its 3C Corridor (Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati).
Ms. Molitoris began her career at the Ohio Rail Transportation Authority (ORTA), achieving the position of Executive Director. During her tenure, Ohio led the nation in state-developed high speed rail planning. She was then appointed Deputy Director for Rail at ODOT, where she worked with port authorities to create 13 new short line railroads – the most in any state following the deregulation of the railroad industry.
Appointed by President Clinton and confirmed by the Senate in 1993, Ms. Molitoris was the first woman to head the Federal Railroad Administration. During her eight years, she led agency-wide changes to significantly improve safety and customer service – resulting in the seven safest years in U.S. railroad history. Her tenure was also highlighted by public-private partnerships in financing national transportation improvements, collaboration with Amtrak in creating ACELA (the nation’s first high-speed train), and unprecedented safety efforts with the nation’s railroads and labor unions.
Ms. Molitoris is also credited with designating or extending the designation on high speed passenger rail corridors 13 times nationwide, including the extension of the Chicago Hub corridor to include Ohio’s 3C corridor.
Director Molitoris received her undergraduate degree from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. and her graduate degree from Case Western Reserve in Cleveland. Among the awards she has received are the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, The WTS International Woman of the Year, the WTS DC Chapter and Columbus Chapter Woman of the Year, and the Sojourner Truth Award from the White House Women’s Office.