KEY LEADERS
OUR TRANSPORTATION PROFESSIONALS
THE FACES OF
INNOVATION
EXPERTISE YOU CAN TRUST
Leadership
“At TTI, we’re fortunate to have a leadership team that brings deep expertise, strategic insight and a shared commitment to excellence in everything we do. I’m proud to introduce the individuals who help guide our mission and ensure our work delivers lasting impact for Texas and beyond.”
Greg Winfree
Agency Director & Chief Executive Officer
Greg Winfree was appointed agency director of the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) in December 2016. In this role, he leads the largest and most comprehensive higher education-affiliated transportation research institute in the United States. He represents TTI within The Texas A&M University System, reporting to the vice chancellor for engineering, and serves as the Institute’s liaison to the Texas Legislature.
Winfree is a member of NASA’s Presidential National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Advisory Board; the Texas Connected and Automated Vehicle Task Force; the Transportation Research Board AV Forum; and a board member on the International Advisory Board for Development of Smart Mobility Platform. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the Texas A&M School of Law.
Before joining TTI, Winfree spent nearly seven years at the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), most recently as assistant secretary of transportation overseeing the department’s research and technology programs. A lifelong attorney, he also served in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and worked as corporate counsel for several Fortune 500 companies. He holds a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Science from St. John’s University.
Affiliations
- NASA’s Presidential National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Advisory Board
- Texas Connected and Automated Vehicle Task Force
- Transportation Research Board AV Forum
- International Advisory Board for Development of Smart Mobility Platform
- Adjunct Professor at the Texas A&M School of Law
Career Achievements
- Seven years at the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), most recently as Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Research and Technology
- Corporate counsel for Fortune 500 companies
- Attorney in Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice
- Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University; Bachelor of Science degree from St. John’s University
RESEARCH
Joe serves as TTI’s deputy agency director and chief research officer, where he oversees agency operations for research, coordinating more than 700 transportation projects annually with more than $125 million in research expenditures. He also serves as director of the Center for Healthy and Efficient Mobility, a U.S. Department of Transportation Tier 1 University Transportation Center led by TTI.
Research LEADERS
Bill oversees TTI’s leadership in planning research, overseeing the agency’s largest research group. As associate agency director, he leads five divisions — Mobility, Data Science and Visualization, Policy Analysis, Freight and Trade, and Metropolitan and Statewide Planning — and helps deliver practical analyses and transportation solutions to sponsors across the country.
Lance leads TTI’s Safety Research Group and serves as division head of the Roadside Safety and Physical Security Division. He directs the TTI Proving Ground, which tests roadside safety devices (guardrails and terminals, bridge rails, crash cushions and breakaway sign supports) and perimeter security devices (gates, fences and bollards).
Darlene oversees TTI’s Infrastructure Research Group, overseeing the Pavement and Materials Division, the Construction, Geotechnical and Structures Division, and the Center for Railway Research. Her team develops innovative methods for building and maintaining transportation infrastructure.
Rafael leads TTI’s Operations Research Group, overseeing the Transportation Operations and Roadway Safety Division, the System Operations and Technologies Division, and the Research and Implementation Division. He also directs the Center for International Intelligent Transportation Research, which conducts research to enhance cross-border transportation efficiency and implement technological solutions at the U.S.–Mexico border.
Tara leads TTI’s Environment Research Group, conducting research that supports transportation conformity, evaluates project and policy impacts on air quality, and explores links between sustainable transportation and public health. She also serves as deputy director of CHEM, a USDOT Tier 1 UTC led by TTI.
SENIOR Research FELLOWS
Jon serves as TTI’s chief engineering officer and a senior research fellow, working with agency leaders and researchers to ensure that TTI’s work meets the highest standards of engineering practice.
Katie serves as TTI’s chief scientific integrity officer and a senior research fellow, working with researchers to ensure project quality and alignment with sponsor expectations, including adherence to budgets and schedules. She is also an executive professor in Texas A&M University’s Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning. She maintains a diverse research portfolio, including directing the 21st Century Mobility Test Bed.
OPERATIONS
Rodney leads TTI’s operational and financial functions as chief operating officer and chief financial officer, overseeing five divisions — Financial Services, Research Development, Research Contract Management, Communications, and Facility, Safety and Support — as well as the Events Planning Group.
CHIEF OPERATIONS Leaders
Elvia serves as TTI’s chief human resources officer (CHRO), providing leadership, strategic planning and oversight for all HR functions. She ensures alignment with TTI’s goals and fosters a culture of continuous growth and excellence across the organization.
Anthony serves as TTI’s chief information officer and a senior assistant agency director, leading the development of information technology systems that support transportation data and research across the Institute.
Becky fosters a TTI culture that promotes the highest standards of ethics and compliance. She serves as TTI’s chief compliance officer, leads the agency’s Ombuds program, and manages TTI’s export control program, records management and civil rights compliance.
Mary provides executive-level coordination and strategic support to TTI’s agency director as chief of staff. She manages the director’s schedule and daily operations, facilitates high-level communications, oversees travel logistics, and plays a key role in agency initiatives and long-term planning. She also supports information management and special assignments that advance institutional goals.
Operations Leaders
Karen leads TTI’s Communications Division, directing teams that produce publications, manage media relations, support the “Thinking Transportation” podcast, publish research reports and video research summaries, and maintain websites for TTI and its sponsors across the Texas A&M University System.
Duane leads TTI’s Facilities, Safety and Support Division, overseeing the management of more than 300,000 square feet of facilities across seven locations in Texas, including research and office spaces at the Texas A&M-RELLIS campus. He also serves as an assistant agency director on the Directors Advisory Council.
