October 1, 2020
Gov. Mike Parson appointed W. Dustin Boatwright to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission on Oct. 1. He fills the vacancy that has existed since March when Mike Pace resigned from the Commission after serving just over five years. His appointment runs through March 1, 2025.
Boatwright, a professional engineer, is the executive vice president and chief engineer of the Little River Drainage District in Cape Girardeau.
A life-long resident of southeast Missouri, he’s a third-generation employee of the Little River Drainage District, having spent much of his childhood and adolescent years working with his father and grandfather on heavy civil construction projects. His career began in 2001 when he worked as a shop mechanic and machine operator in the southern portion of the district. In 2009, he began working full time as assistant engineer. He was promoted to chief engineer in 2014 and executive vice president in 2015.
He is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Rolla (now Missouri University of Science and Technology) with bachelor of science and master of science degrees in civil engineering. He graduated magna cum laude and is a member of Chi Epsilon, the National Civil Engineering Honor Society. He was a collegiate baseball player who won the 2006 Distinguished Academic All-American Award. He is a 2016 graduate of the Missouri Agricultural Leadership of Tomorrow program.
Boatwright is a registered professional engineer and a licensed surveyor in-training. He currently serves as a regional engineer for the Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association and is on the board of directors for the National Waterways Conference. He is also a member of the Fisher Delta Research Center Advisory Board and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Associated General Contractors of America and the University of Missouri 100.
He and his wife Amanda and their two young daughters live in Scott City, Missouri. He is also the grandson of former MHTC Commissioner Duane Michie, who served from 2001-2010.
The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission is a six-member board that guides the Missouri Department of Transportation. Commission members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Missouri Senate. No more than three commission members may be of the same political party. The term on the commission is six years.
Other members of the MHTC are chair Michael T. Waters, Orrick; vice chair John W. Briscoe, New London; and commissioners Gregg C. Smith, Clinton; Robert G. Brinkmann, Defiance; and Terry L. Ecker, Elmo.