The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has named Erick Kind as Grand Region engineer. Kind will succeed Roger Safford, who is retiring Dec. 31 after 28 years at MDOT.
As MDOT’s top administrator in the region, Kind will be responsible for more than 1,400 miles of state trunkline in 13 west Michigan counties (Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Montcalm, Mecosta, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola and Ottawa), 187 employees, a capital program of approximately $80 million, and an annual maintenance budget of $36 million.
A Grand Rapids-area native, Kind is a graduate of Northview High School and Michigan State University and has 21 years of experience at MDOT, most recently as manager of the Grand Rapids Transportation Service Group. He serves on several statewide teams, including the Regional Prosperity Initiative and Workforce Development Foundation Learning Team. He has also worked on several inter-agency teams, including the Joint Agency Transportation Committee, the City of Grand Rapids’ Vital Streets Oversight Commission, and the Rapids’ Lake Liner Advisory Committee.
“I am excited to build on the Grand Region’s history of putting customer service first,” Kind said. “Roger Safford is a friend and mentor, and I hope to carry on with his vision for delivering innovative transportation solutions for MDOT’s Grand Region.”
Kind’s selection to lead MDOT’s Grand Region team represents a commitment to forging partnerships in the communities, said Mark VanPortfleet, MDOT chief operations officer and deputy director.
“Roger Safford set a high bar, building relationships with business leaders and local officials while leading the statewide Transportation Asset Management Council and overseeing the completion of major projects like M-231 in Ottawa County,” VanPortfleet said. “We are confident that Erick will continue the focus on economic development and quality of life.”
