J. Richard Capka

Deputy Administrator

Federal Highway Administration

On August 5, 2002, J. Richard Capka was appointed the Deputy Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration. In this capacity, he will help to prepare the Bush administration's transportation reauthorization proposal, shape the management of highway mega-projects across the country and develop other programs and initiatives for the FHWA.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Capka served as Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority (MTA), where he directed the oversight of the $14.5 billion Central Artery/Tunnel project ("Big Dig") in Boston, the largest and most complex infrastructure project in the United States. In managing this project, Mr. Capka worked closely with the FHWA and other federal agencies to win approval of the Project's finance plan. Additionally, in 2002, the Project emerged from its rigorous annual cost and schedule review with projected costs holding steady.

Just prior to his position with MTA Mr. Capka retired from a 29-year military career in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers where he served in the U.S., Europe, the Pacific and the Far East. His most recent assignments before retirement included Division Engineer and Commander of both the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers South Atlantic Division where he was responsible for managing the Corps' activities in the southeastern U.S., Central and South America and the South Pacific Division where he was responsible for the western and southwestern U.S. In 1997, he led the federal flood system recovery response to the unprecedented California floods that severely damaged the Sacramento and San Joaquin flood control systems. The effort earned the specific praise from both the President and Governor of California.

Mr. Capka is a retired U. S. Army Brigadier General, He is a West Point graduate and also holds a Masters Degree in Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley as well as a Masters in Business Administration from Chaminade University of Honolulu. He is a professional Engineer, registered in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As a result of his military service he has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. Mr. Capka and his wife Susan have two sons, David and Richard, a daughter-in-law, Mary Beth and two grandsons.