Joseph Budras, P.E.

For more than three decades, Joseph Budras, P.E. has excelled with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), serving in multiple roles and programs to include technical, operations, strategic planning, financial, and supervisory experiences. To prepare for his career in highway engineering, he earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Miami in 1983 and a Master of Science in civil engineering from Purdue University in 1991. A licensed professional engineer in the states of Florida and Kansas, Mr. Budras also holds a Certificate in Engineering and Construction Project Management from Colorado State University.

Met with numerous accolades in his career, Mr. Budras was one of the first recipients of the FHWA Administrator’s Partnership in Excellence Award in 2000. In addition, he has taken home a Federal Career Service Award in 2019, a Federal Highway Corporate Award in 2021 and Annual Performance Award consecutively since 1995. He was also recognized by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials for advancing the implementation of pavement preservation technology in 2000. Mr. Budras attributes five traits to his personal success: setting specific goals to achieve, developing a plan to achieve them, developing a desire for it, persisting and following through.

Prior to his recruitment with the FHWA, Mr. Budras served on active duty as a second and first lieutenant with the United States Army Corps of Engineers between 1983 and 1986. Notably, he was selected for promotion to the rank of Captain at the time he left the U.S. Army. During his service, he was honored by the U.S. Army with an Air Assault Badge, an Army Achievement Medal, and an Army Service Ribbon. To remain abreast of his field, Mr. Budras maintains membership with the American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Society of Professional Engineers.

Upon reflection, Mr. Budras believes leadership is about making others successful, and so enhancing the careers of his colleagues has been a particularly rewarding aspect of his job. Having always looked upon his colleagues as people and not just resources, he has emphasized to them the importance of their work in contributing to the “big picture.” As a result of this approach, the people he has mentored over the years have received recognition awards and merit promotions. In all, Mr. Budras wants to leave a positive legacy by being remembered for how he made people feel on their way to accomplishing their goals.