Board Members
Meet our Board Members
Mitch Ball, PE, LS, DBIA
Director, Cost Estimation Office, VDOT
Chair
Mitch Ball is Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) State Cost Estimation Engineer.
He has served in this capacity since January of 2021. He has extensive senior leadership experience in the field of transportation infrastructure, including construction management, cost estimating, value engineering, scheduling, and claims resolution. Prior to joining VDOT in 2006, he enjoyed a successful career with a large Virginia
based heavy / highway contracting firm. As a results-oriented leader, he has a proven track record of successfully managing complex projects, programs and challenging situations. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering Technology from West Virginia
University – Institute of Technology. He is a licensed Professional Engineer, licensed Land
Surveyor, and is certified as a DBIA Design-Build Professional.
Darren McDaniel, P.E., PMP
Program Manager, TxDOT
Vice Chair
Darren McDaniel, P.E., PMP serves as a Program Manager in the Center of Excellence for the Transportation Programs Division (TPD) at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). As a Program Manager, he is responsible for supporting TxDOT Project Managers statewide with the development and delivery of the Project Manager Development (PMD) Institute workshops. He is also an instructor for the University of Texas at Austin Extended Campus. He has worked for TxDOT for 30 years. Prior to joining TPD in 2018, he served as the Speed Zone Engineer and the Highway Safety Engineer for the Traffic Safety Division. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas, a Project Management Professional (PMP), and a TxDOT Certified Adjunct Instructor.
Ryan Sweeney, P.E.
Statewide Transportation Engineer – Estimating, TnDOT
Secretary
Ryan graduated from Tennessee Technological University in 2003 and has worked over 12 years for the Tennessee Department of Transportation. He began his career with an architectural engineering consulting firm, where he specialized in site and roadway design for both private and government clients. After a decade, Ryan joined TnDOT as a design manager in the Project Development Division. In 2019, he transitioned to the role of Assistant Director of Construction, overseeing contract administration and project letting for TnDOT Region 2. Early in 2024, Ryan accepted the position of Statewide Transportation Engineer for the TnDOT estimating section. He has previously served as president and various other positions on the board of the Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers (Nashville Chapter) and currently chairs the Nashville Chapter’s awards committee.
William Allen
Transportation Engineer, TxDOT
Treasurer
Ashley Anderson
Forecasting and Project Cost Engineer, FDOT
Ad Hoc Board Member
Ashley Anderson began her career in the private sector before joining the Florida Department of Transportation in 2015. She worked in the State Construction Office for 8 years as a Final Estimates Specialist and the Construction Final Estimates Engineer. She was appointed as the Forecasting and Project Cost Engineer in the Forecasting and Performance Office in December 2023. Ashley has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Florida State University and is a Professional Engineer registered in the State of Florida. Ashley has almost 20 years of construction final estimates and contract administration experience. Ashley is married to her high school sweetheart and is a proud mom of 2 energetic boys. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors and rock climbing with her family.
Ivan Schmidt
Estimate & Review Manager, MoDOT
Ad Hoc Board Member
Ivan Schmidt is an Estimate and Review Manager in Bidding and Contract Services with 28 years of experience at Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). He has been with MoDOT Bidding and Contract Services since 2017. Before that he was in MoDOT Engineering Policy Section for 2 year and 18 years in MoDOT Bridge Division. Ivan holds an Associate Degree in Drafting from Linn State Technical College. When not working at MoDOT he enjoys his time play volleyball and refereeing high school volleyball.
Mark Gabel
Contracts and Specifications Engineer, Washington DOT
Ad Hoc Board Member
Mark has over 30 years of expertise in engineering, planning, design, project management, and construction. He leads WSDOT’s Engineering Analysis Office, overseeing value engineering, cost risk estimating, and project management. Mark chairs an international Cost Risk Estimating Management community of practice, serves on the SAVE International board, and is a member of the technical panel for NCHRP 10-122 Cost Estimating Practices for Highway Projects. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Washington and a Certified Value Specialist (CVS). Mark holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and an M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Washington.
Stephen Bokros
Past Chair, Colorado DOT
Stephen has worked for the Department of Transportation for almost 13 years. He started in design for 8 years, working in multiple regions of the state, varying in rural and urban projects. Currently working as the Cost Estimating Services Manager for almost 5 years. Before coming to CDOT, Stephen worked in the private sector as an engineering consultant/entrepreneur for more than 15 years. Stephen earned his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines (1992) and a Masters Degree in International Management from the American Graduate School of International Business/Thunderbird (now a part of ASU) (1996).
