KNOWLEDGE. EXPERIENCE. RESULTS.
Highlights
Commander, US Army Corps of Engineers South Atlantic Division
Commander, USACE South Pacific Division
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration
Member, National Academy of Construction
Member, National Academy of Engineering
Distinguished Service Medal, US Department of Defense
Education
MBA, Chaminade University of Honolulu
Master of Engineering, University of California at Berkeley
BA, United States Military Academy at West Point
Contact
Brig. Gen. (Ret) J. Richard Capka, PE
President
Formerly the nation’s Top Highway Official, Rick Capka’s exceptional experience includes more than 36 years of managing projects and overseeing federal and state-level infrastructure programs.
In 2008, Rick joined Dawson & Associates after a career that included 29 years with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and command of the South Atlantic and South Pacific Divisions. As commander of the USACE South Atlantic Division, Rick was responsible for managing Corps activities across the southeastern U.S. and in Central and South America.
As South Pacific Division commander, Rick was responsible for Corps activities in the western and southwestern U.S. In 1997, he led federal efforts to restore California's federal flood control system, which had been badly damaged from that year's unprecedented floods. Rick's leadership earned praise from President Bill Clinton and Governor Pete Wilson.
After leaving federal service, Rick became Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority where he oversaw the $14.7 billion Central Artery and Tunnel Project ("the Big Dig") with construction costs averaging $100+ million per month. Rick improved financial stability by gaining federal approval of the project’s planning, which guaranteed continued funding. His budget remained accurate through the end of the project.
Rick's transportation experience also includes service as Deputy Administrator and Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). In these roles, he helped prepare the Bush administration’s surface transportation reauthorization proposals, shaped management of highway mega-projects and in 2003 was the first U.S. Transportation Official to deploy to Iraq. Additionally, Rick led FHWA's successful responses to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the Minneapolis bridge collapse in 2007.
Given Rick's background in transportation and engineering, the American Society Of Civil Engineers asked him to be on the advisory committee issuing ASCE's annual “Report Card for America’s Infrastructure.”
Awards
Department of Defense Superior Service Medal
US Armed Forces Legion of Merit
Secretary of Transportation’s Gold Medal Award for Outstanding Achievement (three times)
American Society of Civil Engineers OPAL Award for Outstanding Lifetime Achievement
American Society of Civil Engineers’ Civil Government Award
Other Experience
Rick was a member of the American Society Of Civil Engineers’ “Report Card for America’s Infrastructure” Advisory Committee.