The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) has named Brad Knight as the new director of the agency’s Planning and Environmental Concerns Department.
A seven-year RCOC employee, Knight served for the last six years as environmental concerns coordinator for the agency. Prior to that, he was an environmentalist II. Before joining the Road Commission, Knight worked for the Hubbell, Roth and Clark (HRC) engineering consulting firm for 12 years in a variety of positions.
The Planning and Environmental Concerns Department performs short- and long-range transportation planning, does geographic information system (GIS) mapping, oversees federal road funds coming to Oakland County, handles all RCOC information-technology needs and provides environmental services for the agency.
“We are very pleased to promote Brad to this position,” stated RCOC Managing Director Dennis Kolar. “He has accomplished great things as the head of our Environmental Concerns division, and I am sure he will bring the same drive, determination and enthusiasm to his new position and to the Road Commission’s leadership team.”
Knight holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences and urban planning from Central Michigan University. He is a resident of Troy and a member of the Michigan Wetland Banking Advisory Board.
Knight noted he is thrilled to be working with the respected staff of the department. “The staff is amazing,” he said. “They are capable, enthusiastic and hard working. We have experts in GIS, IT, transportation planning, the environment and much more. Though they are rarely seen by the public, they really serve as sort of the backbone of the agency, providing many critical services.”
The new director added he is excited about learning about and being involved in the world of Transportation Asset Management – which is a process for establishing transportation system management best practices. State legislation mandated that all Michigan road agencies establish a transportation asset management plan by 2022. Knight will be leading this process at the Road Commission
“I also want to make sure we maintain and grow the great relationships we have with the 61 cities, villages and townships in Oakland County as well as with our county commissioners, state and federal legislators and other public officials serving the residents of Oakland County,” Knight observed.
