DALLAS, TX — The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announces the appointment of Lance W. Simmons, P.E., as TxDOT’s Chief Engineer.

In his new role, Simmons will direct and coordinate the department’s statewide engineering and district operations to ensure the state’s transportation system is built and operates in a safe, efficient, and effective manner.

A 28-year TxDOT veteran, Simmons officially began his career with the department in 1994 in the Atlanta District’s Design Office (after working three summers in the Atlanta Area Office). Through the Young Engineers’ Rotation Program, Simmons also worked in the Advance Planning, Traffic, and Atlanta Area Offices.

From 2001 to 2009, Simmons served as the Atlanta District’s Bridge/Special Projects Engineer before being selected as its Director of Operations in 2010. He was named District Engineer in the Bryan District in March 2015. Since August 2021, Simmons has served as TxDOT’s Director of Engineering & Safety Operations.

In 2014, Simmons was honored with the Luther DeBerry Award at the Transportation Short Course. As a Terry Scholar at Texas A&M University, he earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1994.

Simmons will continue to serve as the Director of Engineering & Safety Operations until a replacement is named.