Julie Lorenz
Julie Lorenz | |
|---|---|
| Kansas Secretary of Transportation | |
| In office January 2019 – December 23, 2022 | |
| Governor | Laura Kelly |
| Preceded by | Richard Carlson |
| Succeeded by | Calvin Reed |
Julie Lorenz is an American transportation executive who was the secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation from 2019 to 2022.
Career
[edit]Lorenz worked at the engineering firm Burns & McDonnell in Kansas City, Missouri.[1]
She was the director of public affairs and a special assistant to Lorenz was director of public affairs and special assistant to Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) secretary Deb miller.[1] During this period, she was involved in the development of the $8 billion T-Works highway program, which began in 2010.[1] Several projects under this program were later suspended due to funding issues.[1] In 2018, she facilitated the Kansas Legislature's transportation task force in 2018.[1]
In January 2019, Lorenz became interim secretary of KDOT.[1] In March 2019, a Kansas Senate committee unanimously confirmed her appointment as secretary of transportation under governor Laura Kelly.[1] As secretary, Lorenz worked on rebuilding the agency following budget reductions that affected the state's transportation programs.[1] She advocated for stable funding and modernization efforts.[1]
Lorenz led KDOT through the launch of the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE), a 10-year infrastructure initiative that allocated at least $8 million to each of Kansas' 105 counties.[2] She also oversaw KDOT's role in managing federal infrastructure funding, including allocations from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.[2] Lorenz resigned effective December 23, 2022, and returned to the private sector.[2] She was succeeded by Calvin Reed.[3]
In 2024, Lorenz was appointed as a senior transportation advisor for KC2026, the local organizing committee responsible for planning Kansas City's role as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[4] In this role, she is involved in developing the transportation strategy required to support the event.[4] She also serves as a principal consultant with Burns & McDonnell's 1898 & Co.[4]
Personal life
[edit]Lorenz is from Lenexa, Kansas.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Carpenter, Tim (March 18, 2019). "KDOT nominee earns approval". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved 2025-02-09.
- ^ a b c Shorman, Jonathan (November 29, 2022). "KDOT leader resigns in first major staffing change for Gov. Laura Kelly since election". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on 2022-11-29. Retrieved 2025-02-09.
- ^ Napier, Aaron (2023-06-22). "Governor Kelly Appoints Calvin Reed as Secretary of Transportation". Ad Astra Radio. Retrieved 2025-02-09.
- ^ a b c Palmer, Tod (2024-07-10). "'Seamless, safe': New KC2026 transportation advisor Julie Lorenz discusses World Cup transit". KSHB 41 Kansas City News. Retrieved 2025-02-09.