Carolann D. Wicks, P.E.
2011 Engineer of the Year

Carolann D. Wicks is the eighth Secretary of the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT). Prior to her nomination as Secretary she served in several leadership roles and most recently as the Chief Engineer for the department and Director of Transportation Solutions where her primary responsibilities included the timely delivery of the State Capital Transportation Program from project development and design through construction. Carolann began her illustrious career at DelDOT more than 28 years ago. Now as Secretary she is responsible for providing a safe, efficient and environmental sensitive transportation network. This includes the capital program, managing statewide transit services, motor vehicle services and the maintenance and operation of 90 percent of Delaware’s transportation system. DelDOT employs over 2600 transportation professionals to achieve these goals.

Most recently Secretary Carolann Wicks was selected to serve on the Transportation Research Board’s (TRB) Executive Committee. She also served as President for the Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials (NASTO) from 2008 - 2009. Chartered in 1924, NASTO is one of four regional groups that make up the nationwide American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHTO). Secretary Wicks is also the Chairperson for AASHTO’s Subcommittee on Geometric Design, as part of her AASHTO responsibilities.

Carolann has received: the Eugene E. Abbott Award for excellence in Transportation Planning; the department’s highest honor, AASHTO’s Alfred E. Johnson award for excellence in Engineering and Management; the Outstanding Alumnus Award and the Presidential Citation for Outstanding Achievement from the University of Delaware, and the Woman in History Award presented by the Business and Professional Women/Dover Chapter. In addition, she has the honor of serving as an executive board member for the Diamond State Port Authority and she is a member of the University of Delaware’s Civil Engineer Executive (CEE) External Advisory Council. She also is a member of the American Association of State Highway Engineers (ASHE).

Carolann received her education from the University of Delaware; graduating with a B.S in Civil Engineering in 1982, and a M.S. in Public Administration in 1990. She became a licensed Delaware Engineer in 1987, and she currently resides in Townsend, Delaware with her husband Ken, and their daughter Anna.

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