State Transportation Director Ajegba Receives Pioneer Award from COMTO
SOUTHFIELD, MI — State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba was recently honored by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) at its annual Pioneer Award Dinner in Southfield. Ajegba received COMTO's highest honor, the 2019 Pioneer Award, for his work in encouraging and promoting diversity in the transportation industry and within Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) projects and programs.

MDOT and partner Somat Engineering, Inc. were honored with COMTO's Innovative Project of the Year award for the I-94/M-106 (Cooper Street) interchange project in Jackson County, specifically for dealing with voids left over in the work area by nearby coal mining.

"I'm honored and proud to be recognized by COMTO with this year's Pioneer Award," Ajegba said. "Equal opportunity and inclusion are vital for our workforce. Removing barriers for students looking to enter the transportation industry is so important for the future of Michigan, as well as the nation."

A Prairie View A&M University and University of Michigan graduate, Ajegba has been with MDOT for 28 years. He was appointed Director by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on January 1, 2019, after previously serving for three months as Metro Region Engineer and before that as University Region Engineer.
He has been recognized for his efforts in creating the MDOT Diversity Recruitment Program, which is a partnership between MDOT and colleges and universities throughout the state. The program offers on-the-job training and job shadowing to undergraduate students pursuing degrees in engineering and other transportation-related careers.

During Ajegba's seven years in the University Region, he oversaw his team's involvement in the planning, design and construction of several major projects, including the US-23 Flex Route — a project nominated for the America's Transportation Award, landing among the top 12 national finalists. His other notable projects include the I-94 rehabilitation project in Ann Arbor/Jackson, the I-96/US-23 interchange and the I-75 freeway project.

COMTO was founded in 1971 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., to provide a forum for senior-level minority professionals in the transportation industry. For more information on COMTO, visit comto.org.
People Michigan Contractor & BuilderHe has been recognized for his efforts in creating the MDOT Diversity Recruitment Program, which is a partnership between MDOT and colleges and universities throughout the state. The program offers on-the-job training and job shadowing to undergraduate students pursuing degrees in engineering and other transportation-related careers.

During Ajegba's seven years in the University Region, he oversaw his team's involvement in the planning, design and construction of several major projects, including the US-23 Flex Route — a project nominated for the America's Transportation Award, landing among the top 12 national finalists. His other notable projects include the I-94 rehabilitation project in Ann Arbor/Jackson, the I-96/US-23 interchange and the I-75 freeway project.

COMTO was founded in 1971 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., to provide a forum for senior-level minority professionals in the transportation industry. For more information on COMTO, visit comto.org.
