Melissa Meyer Horvath Email & Phone Number

Provide strategic guidance to senior leadership on agency initiatives and high profile and sensitive projects and topics. Monitor agency trends to inform decision making at the district level. Utilize policy analysis and management experience to identify deficiencies in internal processes and implement solutions. Skilled at recognizing agency priorities and translating them to district level projects. Constant interaction with senior TxDOT district management, local elected officials, external stakeholder groups and members of the public, including on topics of a sensitive nature. Supervise project managers to ensure project delivery deadlines and accuracy of public facing work products. Direct the district’s Texas Clear Lanes project development process, including coordination among the advanced project delivery team and senior administration. Oversee application for federal grants and implementation of awards. Prepare background information, briefing information and presentations for senior district administration. Serve as lead worker for professional employees and subject matter experts regarding the public involvement program.

Washington, Dc

• Oversee a $3.5 billion annual portfolio of surface transportation projects• Represent a governmental agency with a $30 billion biannual budget• Quickly grasp and distill complex and technical information• Analyze legislative and policy proposals and communicate agency impact• Provide input on federal transportation reauthorization bills including MAP-21 and FAST Act, including development of agency federal priorities• Develop and cultivate relationships• Manage multiple projects simultaneouslyAs a Senior Congressional Liaison with TxDOT, I represent the department in Washington, DC. My main responsibilities include communicating the department's positions on federal transportation issues; researching and analyzing complex legislation, policies and issues; and interacting extensively with Congressional offices and committees, federal agencies, special interest groups, other state agencies and private entities. I also oversee the project selection process and application development of TxDOT's INFRA grant proposals, including two winning projects totaling $72 million.Being a Congressional Liaison requires in-depth knowledge on a variety of infrastructure topics including funding and financing; the NEPA process including NEPA Assignment; permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, Endangered Species Act and National Historical Preservation Act; planning processes; engineering and construction. I also have extensive experience in legislative and administrative processes including reauthorization of surface transportation enabling legislation, appropriations, committee actions, and federal rulemakings.

+Analyzed Financial Data. Applied rules, regulations and policies established by the Commission to information contained in financial reports.+Research. Assembled facts and reviewed previous Commission actions to determine how to proceed in a current situation.+Communications. Prepared letters to political committees regarding disclosure violations.

Provided information to military officials, legislators and community officials on various topics and collaborated with 20 state and federal agencies. Researched Texas military bases and interviewed base staff for agency annual report. Collected information from topic-specific newspapers to write monthly electronic newsletters. Prepared applications and approval letters for loans based on research of state economic development regulations. Planned and implemented quarterly commission meetings.

Master Of Public Administration (Mpa), Public Administration

Course work included studies in urban and environmental planning, public finance, government information systems, social policy.

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Liberal Arts And Sciences/Liberal Studies

Education record