Former Federal Highway Administrator to be Firm's Chief Operating Officer

(Washington, D.C.) – J. Richard Capka, who recently stepped down as Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, is the new Chief Operating Officer at Dawson & Associates, the firm announced today.  Capka was FHWA Administrator from 2006 to 2008, having served as Acting Administrator in 2005 and Deputy Administrator from 2002 to 2005.

“This is a major step forward for Dawson & Associates,” said president Robert Dawson, former Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.  “Rick Capka’s experience in transportation and water development issues is outstanding and he brings a wonderful perspective to our efforts on behalf of our clients.”

Founded in 1997, Dawson & Associates is the nation’s premier government relations and public affairs firm for water and natural resource appropriations and environmental permitting.  The company includes more than 30 former federal and state officials, including former Members of Congress John Myers and Sonny Callahan.

As FHWA Administrator and Deputy Administrator, Mr. Capka helped to shape budget and management on the nation’s highway federal projects.  In 2003, he was the first U.S. Transportation Official to deploy to Iraq.  Additionally, he led the FHWA response to the collapse of the I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis.

From 2000 to 2002, Mr. Capka was Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority (MTA) where he oversaw construction averaging more than $100 million per month.  In 2000, he retired from the U.S. Army, having spent 29 years with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and achieving the rank of Brigadier General.   He was Commander of the Corps’ South Atlantic Division (1998-2000) and the South Pacific Division (1996-98).

He is the fourth General Officer in the Corps of Engineers to join Dawson & Associates.