AUSTIN - Amadeo Saenz, a transportation engineer with 29 years state experience, including leadership roles in Pharr and Austin, is the new executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation, becoming the first Hispanic to head the agency in its 90-year history.

Saenz, 51, was named to the state's top transportation position today by the Texas Transportation Commission. He becomes the 19th person to head the transportation agency since it was created in 1917.

"Amadeo has the unique combination of experience, knowledge and skill necessary to lead TxDOT and meet the growing transportation challenge we face in Texas," said Ric Williamson, Texas Transportation Commission chairman.

Since 2001, Saenz has served as TxDOT's assistant executive director for engineering operations. He has been instrumental in implementing the department's strategies to use all financial options to build transportation projects, empower local and regional leaders to solve transportation problems, increase competition to reduce costs and make consumer-driven decisions.

"Amadeo is eminently qualified to focus the employees of the department on reducing congestion, enhancing safety, expanding economic opportunity, improving air quality and increasing the value of the state's transportation assets," said commission member Fred Underwood.

Saenz, a native of Hebbronville, was district engineer in TxDOT's Pharr District from 1993 to 2001 and was in charge of all department activities in an eight-county region. He oversaw TxDOT's response when the Queen Isabella Causeway was hit by a barge in 2001 and directed emergency repairs, which were completed in less than three months.

Saenz held numerous other engineering positions in the Pharr District after joining TxDOT in 1978.