Berea - The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission Monday appointed Ferzan M. Ahmed as Executive Director at its regularly scheduled meeting. Ahmed assumed the role effective immediately. He will be responsible for managing the Ohio Turnpike’s day-to-day business operations.
“Ferzan’s depth of experience as an engineer and leader in the transportation industry in both the private and public sectors will serve the Commission, its employees, communities and customers quite well,” said Commission Chairman Jerry N. Hruby. “We welcome Ferzan and we know that he will provide the leadership necessary to continue our reputation as one of the best run toll facilities in the nation.”
“I am grateful to the Commission for this opportunity,” said Ahmed. “I’m excited to lead the Commission’s efforts to modernize its toll collection system and use technology to improve safety and operations on the Ohio Turnpike in partnership with DriveOhio.”
Ahmed previously served as a Vice President and leader of AECOM’s Ohio Transportation practice. In that role, he worked with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) as AECOM’s Project Principal for DriveOhio autonomous and connected vehicle deployment projects and the MORPC Hyperloop Feasibility Study. He also served as the Delaware County Administrator and as ODOT’s Deputy Director of District 6.
As Deputy Director of the state’s largest ODOT region from 2011 until 2016, Ahmed oversaw an eight-county region encompassing nearly 5,000 miles of roads in eight counties. He joined ODOT in 1992 and rose through the ranks to oversee many projects, including the development of the I-70/I-71 redesign project in District 6.
Photo courtesy of Brian Newbacher / Ohio Turnpike
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