WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 - Susan Martinovich, Director of the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), knows first hand the kind of hard work and extraordinary dedication that it takes to break new ground and achieve greater heights.

In October 2009, Martinovich was elected Vice President of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, another crowning achievement in her 26-year career in transportation.

A licensed professional engineer, Martinovich began her ascent at NDOT in the 1980s as an entry-level engineer. By 1999, she was responsible for all of the pre-construction engineering divisions, including design, bridge, traffic, and safety, after being promoted to assistant director of engineering. In 2003, Martinovich was promoted again, to deputy director-chief engineer, assisting with the day-to-day operations of the agency. Four years later, Martinovich was chosen to run the entire department, becoming NDOT's first woman director. This year Martinovich is also serving as AASHTO's first woman vice president.

"I'm just very proud and honored," Martinovich tells Transportation TV. "I am eager to help AASHTO's president and its executive director solve some of the critical transportation problems that face state DOTs today."

Martinovich is featured in Profiles, a new segment on Transportation TV. The presentation highlights her many past accomplishments and includes her vision for the future.

"I think this is an exciting time," Martinovich says. "It's really easy to be a leader when times are good, but it is during these tough times that we must use every opportunity to push the envelope and do more with less. I'm ready to get started."

Watch Profiles at www.transportationtv.org.

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