WSDOT’s Kris Strickler takes new job with ODOT

Washington State Department of Transportation Southwest Regional Administrator Kris Strickler is taking a new job as the administer of the Oregon Department of Transportation Highway Division — the agency’s largest division.

“A historic $5 billion dollar transportation package brings great opportunity to strengthen and enhance our transportation system — and Kris has the experience and passion to help us deliver that package on time and on budget,” ODOT Director Matthew Garrett said in a news release.

Strickler joined WSDOT as regional administrator in 2015. The role tasked him with overseeing work from general highway maintenance to new construction projects in agency operations, as well as building and maintaining relationships with municipalities in seven Southwest Washington counties. He also previously worked with WSDOT from 1999-2010, as WSDOT’s designer, inspector, construction manager, and deputy director of the ill-fated Columbia River Crossing project.

Strickler previously worked as director of transportation services for Vancouver-based consulting firm Mackay Sposito, as well as ODOT. He was also ODOT’s last director of the CRC before the Interstate 5 Bridge replacement project ended in 2014.

Strickler’s last day at WSDOT comes Oct. 5. He begins working at ODOT Oct. 23.

He’ll replace recently retired Paul Mather, who served eight years as head of the division.

“I loved my time serving the citizens of SW Washington, but my home is in Oregon and it’s great to be back at an organization I love, working with people who are skilled and dedicated,” Strickler said in the release. “We’re going to have a great time, learn new and better ways of doing things, and become an even stronger organization. I’m truly excited.”

ODOT’s highway division is comprised of more than 2,500 employees in five state regions. They plan, design, build and maintain Oregon’s bridges and highways, and deliver on major projects on and off the highway network.