Scott Stokes, an Idaho Transportation Department veteran who joined the department in I992, became Director in late May 2022 after serving as Chief Deputy since 2007. Scott has served in several capacities, including as District Engineer in northern Idaho, and State Bridge Engineer early in his ITD career. As Chief Deputy, Stokes oversaw the divisions of Aeronautics, Motor Vehicles, Public Transportation, Emergency Management and highway bonding programs, and had primary responsibility for much of the department’s daily operations. Stokes was the co-Chair of the Strategic Safety Team, chairman of the Idaho Traffic Safety Commission, and was significantly involved in all facets of highway safety for the department. He is a leading advocate of the drive to achieve zero deaths on Idaho highways by promoting driver responsibility and accountability.
In support of ITD’s strategic goals, Stokes also is engaged in the department’s internal and external efforts to promote economic opportunity through transportation and to increase mobility for Idaho businesses and travelers.
He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Brigham Young University, and before ITD he worked for a private Idaho engineering firm for eight years developing community public works projects and regional commercial developments.
The Idaho Transportation Board announced Stokes as the next ITD Director on October 1, 2021, replacing Brian Ness as Director when Ness retired on May 28, 2022.
The Stokes name is revered at ITD, as Scott’s father, Eldon Stokes, was ITD’s maintenance foreman in the Salmon shed for decades, and was the department’s Maintenance Person of the Year during his tenure.
Dave has delivered impressive results in his 35 years at ITD – with nearly 30 of those years as a manager across multiple work groups.
Dave’s career started as an engineer-in-training in North Idaho. As a project engineer in the ’90s, he delivered key improvements, including replacing the Goff Bridge, Kamiah Bridge, Orofino Bridge, Ahsahka Bridge and Riggins Main Street. Dave then served as the D3 assistant engineer while GARVEE investment projects were in full swing, followed by five years as the D2 district engineer where he championed winter maintenance.
In 2019, Dave returned to Boise where he has most recently served as the Highways Construction & Operations administrator/chief engineer.
Kuisti is a licensed civil engineer who graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.
Brenda Williams brought an extensive background in human resources to the Idaho Transportation Department in October 2013 when she became the department’s Chief Human Resources Officer. She was the Area Human Resources Manager for Republic Services (formerly Allied Waste Services), in Salt Lake City, where she provided strategic leadership for multiple states. She achieved key business objectives in the areas of development, succession planning, and performance management. Republic is a Fortune 500 company that specializes in environmental services with 31,000 employees in 40 states, including Idaho.
Williams was also the Director of Human Resources for Comcast Corp., (formerly AT&T Broadband), in Salt Lake City, for multiple locations throughout the state. She was instrumental in driving employee engagement through management and employee action teams. Williams was promoted to the position after serving as Director of Staffing and Organizational Development for AT&T Broadband.
Mollie McCarty was appointed to the Idaho Transportation Department’s executive team as the first Chief External Affairs Officer in November of 2021, after 23 years with the department in communication and governmental affairs positions. From 2008 to 2021, McCarty led the department’s policy and government relations efforts during several key transportation initiatives including Governor Otter’s 2011 Task Force on Modernizing Transportation Funding and the Idaho Legislature’s 2015 transportation revenue enhancement.
McCarty also served the department from 1998 to 2008 as Public Information Officer for the southwest Idaho district during the first and second construction stages of the WYE Interchange in the Treasure Valley. Prior to her service at the transportation department, McCarty managed public relations projects at advertising agency Elgin Syferd Drake (now Drake Cooper). She also worked in television and radio news broadcasting for 10 years, starting as a reporter and advancing to anchor. Her last seven years were in Boise at CBS affiliate KBOI TV.
McCarty holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, with a broadcast emphasis.
Dave Tolman joined the Executive Leadership Team as the Chief Administrative Officer in June 2022, but has worked in state government for more than 35 years. Starting at ITD as the Controller in October 2001, Dave has also worked for the Idaho Division of Financial Management and the Idaho State Controller’s Office.
Dave oversees the Department’s Business and Support Management, Enterprise Technology Services, Financial Services, Administrative Support, and Internal Review. For the past two decades, Dave has been the finance lead for the GARVEE and TECM bonding programs and is knowledgeable in business processes and policies for all ITD programs. Beyond his role at ITD, Dave currently serves on the State Controller’s Office Fiscal Policy Advisory Committee and AASHTO’s Standing Committee for Funding and Finance. Nationally, he is well known for his financial acumen and is the sought-after expert in GARVEE bonding activities across the country.
Dave received his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Brigham Young University and a Master of Business Administration from Boise State University. Dave’s contribution to the Executive Team is invaluable and the experience and guidance he provides in the investment and utilization of state-allocated funds from the Governor and Idaho Legislature keeps Idaho’s transportation system growing and continues to help deliver projects at an unprecedented level.