Pamela J. Heimsness
Gallatin
Summary
Dynamic Program Analyst with the Federal Highway Administration, skilled in enterprise performance management and process optimization. Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams to enhance organizational efficiency and drive strategic initiatives. Adept at utilizing Microsoft Excel and fostering collaboration, resulting in improved reporting and performance management outcomes.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Program Analyst
Federal Highway Administration
Washington D.C
08.2022 - 03.2025
- Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) Team Leader (Acting) | [Organization Name] | [Dates of Service] Dynamic and results-oriented leader with proven expertise in enterprise performance management, strategic planning, and process optimization. Adept at managing complex workflows, coordinating cross-functional teams, and implementing innovative solutions to enhance organizational efficiency.
- Served as Acting Team Leader, successfully balancing leadership responsibilities with core duties.
- Managed an increased volume of requests from OST-B, leading discussions to support new metrics and fostering collaboration for enhanced reporting and performance management.
- Spearheaded coordination with HCF through monthly meetings to align budget, performance, evaluation, and risk management strategies.
- Led the redesign of the HPTS research proposal submission and selection process, introducing a transparent, strategically aligned system that leveraged MS Forms, SharePoint Lists, and PowerBI for streamlined tracking and reporting.
- Refined EPM Program Area Profile Templates, ensuring accessibility and usability via the EPM SharePoint site; supported finance and program offices in leveraging these resources for informed decision-making.
- Provided leadership in piloting Program Area Profile Evaluations, refining assessment methodologies to drive measurable improvements.
- Directed efforts to develop enterprise risks and appetite statements, collaborating with leadership to establish new risk operating principles and ensuring comprehensive documentation updates.
- Led strategic planning initiatives by creating a SharePoint site for streamlined data collection and reporting, facilitating alignment with OST requests and enterprise activities.
- Actively contributed to evidence-based policy efforts, including the Learning Agenda Supplement and Evaluation Plans, to enhance organizational effectiveness.
- Managed team coordination, onboarding processes, and performance recognition submissions, demonstrating commitment to team development and operational excellence.
- Completed required training while engaging in additional professional development opportunities, actively participating in councils, forums, and research roadmap initiatives.
- This is a federal job
Technical Services Team Leader
Federal Highway Administration
Nashville
02.2009 - 08.2022
- As Team Leader of the Operations Program Specialist; Traffic Operations and Congestion Engineer; Safety Engineer; Pavement and Materials Engineer; Structural Engineer and the Program Management Analyst; I am experienced in managing staff and resource workloads. I ensure my team has the skills and technical knowledge to assist partner agencies in achieving their programs goals and objectives. I provide leadership and direction by delivering daily technical knowledge and expertise on traffic operations, including transportation system management principles and practice and capacity analysis; safety; and performance management activities and programs, including stewardship and oversight, strategic planning, process reviews, and program assessments.
- I serve as a Division resource for the interpretation of legislation and regulations, procedures, requirements, and technological advancements and approaches. Through personal action, I facilitate partnering, collaboration, team building, and knowledge sharing with our transportation partners and across disciplines. I serve as a liaison for the Division with technical experts in Headquarters, the Resource Center, and with our external partners to remain current on best practices. I coordinate appropriate training and encourage active staff participation in the Discipline Support System.
- I work extensively with my team to ensure all areas of their Programs meet all Federal Requirements. For example, after reviewing Tennessee Departments of Transportations (TDOT's) submittal of their HOV certification, we determined it should be revised and updated. As a result of my close coordination and collaboration with TDOT, their HOV certification has been updated to reflect the HOV program’s current status, needed future actions, proper degradation calculation, and implementation plans. Additionally, TDOT updated their HOV signing and striping on all of their HOV lanes. I worked extensively with the state traffic engineer on the HOV signing and striping plans to allow maximum flexibility while ensuring they still met the conditions within the MUTCD.
- I have also worked with TDOT and the Local Agencies to educate them on Interim Approvals and Experimentations. I wrote an article that was published in the Tennessee Transportation Assistance Program newsletter. I have also been coordinating with TDOT to educate them on their oversight role with the Local Agencies to ensure the MUTCD requirements are being met. I have also worked with TDOT to develop a policy for their Sign Management Program addressing Retroreflectivity.
- Over the past year I have been working with TDOT, Consultants, Local Agencies and TTAP to create the Tennessee Traffic Signals Users Group (TTSUG) to address current needs of traffic signal professionals within Tennessee and set direction for the future to further strengthen communication and coordination. This group went to eight locations throughout Tennessee to share information and gain support from the Local Agencies. I coordinated with the Resource Center to bring an Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures Workshop to Tennessee. There were over 70 attendees from local agencies. This TTSUG continues to make progress and has just created a Intersection Modernization Program to provide assistance to local agencies to upgrade their traffic signals.
- TDOT proposed a Wrong Way Initiative pilot program. They were proposing a signing plan that was not MUTCD compliant and more then likely would not receive approval for experimentation. I facilitated discussions with TDOT to revise their signing plan which allowed them to accomplish their goals and also meet the MUTCD standards.
- I am the co-lead on TDOT's Work Zone Committee and we have updated TDOT's Work Zone Safety and Mobility Manual to streamline their Transportation Management Plan process and Significant Project Determination. This included revamping TDOT's Work Zone Training program and process to include traffic impact studies and a queuing analysis. Additionally, we conduct joint work zone traffic control reviews and review work zone traffic control plans and complex signing plans for our Projects of Division Interest.
- As part of my personal leadership skill development, I applied and was selected for a three-month rotational assignment as the Acting Assistant Division Administrator in the Mississippi Division. During my time in Mississippi, I was able to quickly establish relationships with the Division office and the Mississippi Department of Transportation. My major tasks included relocating the Division office into a new building and coordinating the National Review Team ARRA Local Roads review. These tasks required extensive coordination and communication and were successfully completed.
- This is a federal job
- Supervisor: Sabrina David (615-781-5789)
- Okay to contact this Supervisor: Yes
Engineering Team Leader
Federal Highway Administration
Springfield
01.2003 - 02.2009
- As the Engineering Team Leader I provided engineering and environmental expertise in the full cycle of transportation system development activities on $581 million in Federal Aid projects in Chicago, State and Federal funding combined. I was responsible for providing information and guidance in the interpretation, application, and implementation of Federal laws, regulations, and policy relating to all phases of the highway program on a day-to-day basis to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), cities, counties, other agencies, and to private citizens. My team worked with the IDOT to improve Illinois design and construction programs. I ensured that efforts of my team were coordinated with efforts of Division program managers and technical specialists, especially in the areas of planning, environment, right of way, safety, operations, pavement, technology, and bridge.
- I was a team member on a process review for Road Safety Assessments (RSA) in Illinois. I introduced the concept to IDOT by conducting RSAs on specific locations throughout the state. As a result of my actions, IDOT realized the benefit of conducting RSAs and agreed to adopt the practice statewide. I agreed to be a developer and instructor for the RSA program training course for IDOT. I worked with the Illinois State Police (ISP), County Engineers and IDOT Bureau of Safety to develop the training. I taught 5 RSA classes, to over 125 people in Chicago over 2 years and the class always received high reviews.
- I also worked with IDOT to raise their awareness of traffic analysis tools. I coordinated with the Resource Center to successfully present a Traffic Analysis Tools Workshop in Illinois. As a result of the workshop, I secured funds to purchase 25 CORSIM software licenses for IDOT and coordinated to have a CORSIM training course brought to Illinois. This training course was a huge success in helping IDOT to understand the capabilities of CORSIM and use it accordingly.
- Through my review and analysis of the access justification reports (AJR), on I-355 from I-80 to I-55, I discovered there were operational issues with the number of lanes on the ramps. I worked with the Illinois Toll Authority to modify the design to include the needed lanes and analyze the operations of the two interchanges using VISSIM. The I-355 project is now open to traffic and the interchanges are operating efficiently and effectively.
- I was regularly invited to attend Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) meetings in Chicago where the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) discussed the progress of their new, electronic, searchable Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). I was also asked to speak at a Transportation Committee Meeting on Land Use and Transportation Planning as it relates to adding interchanges to the interstate. At that meeting, I successfully convinced CMAP to develop a Regional Plan for the Interstate System in the Chicago Area.
- I was asked by the Bureau Chief of Local Roads and Streets in Chicago to present the Federal Overview at their first annual Local Highway Improvements Seminar. This was a collaboration of efforts between FHWA, IDOT Bureau of Local Roads Central Office, Region 1, and Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). The seminar agenda included the Federal and State Overview, MPO (CMAP) Overview, Funding and Programming (State and Federal), Project Development Process, Procurement, Design and Technology, CSS, QC/QA, Construction as well as a case study. Consultants and local agency personnel attended the seminars and it was well received.
- This is a federal job
- Supervisor: Scott Mcguire ((213) 629-8617)
- Okay to contact this Supervisor: Yes
Transportation Engineer
Federal Highway Administration
Springfield
09.2000 - 01.2003
- I was the primary contact for FHWA and covered all aspects of the Federal Aid program in Illinois, Districts 3 and 5. I delivered the Federal aid Highway Program (under Title 23 U.S.C.) through all phases of project activity including programming, scoping, environmental evaluation, right of way, design, construction, operations, and maintenance. Districts 3 & 5 cover the Central East and West part of Illinois, including the city of Bloomington, Illinois. In addition to the two District Offices, I worked directly with Illinois Department of Transportation’s Central Office, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and local governments. I provided engineering and environmental expertise in the full cycle of transportation system development activities. I provided information and guidance in the interpretation, application, and implementation of Federal laws, regulations, and policy relating to all phases of the highway program on a day-to-day basis to IDOT, cities, counties, other agencies, and to private citizens.
- My duties also included Team Leader for a Staged Construction Process Review and also team member for an Environmental Commitments Process Review with the IDOT. I also provided guidance in the areas of safety, congestion mitigation, and environmental regulations to IDOT on projects that utilize federal funding. I ensured quality of construction through review of contract changes and site visits on federally funded construction projects over $1 million.
- This is a federal job
- Supervisor: Kevin McLaury (405-605-6174)
- Okay to contact this Supervisor: Yes
Civil Engineer
Directorate of Public Works, Project Management Division
Ft. Carson
12.1998 - 09.2000
- I designed, reviewed, and managed all roadway and drainage projects on Ft. Carson Army Base. I was also the contract manager for road contracts where I coordinating/monitoring projects from planning and design thru construction. I ensured all technical/statutory/ procedural requirements were met and made sure projects were completed within approved scope/schedule. One of my responsibilities was to meet with customers for input in design and keep customer informed of scope and schedule throughout design process and to ensure that communication is active with Corps of Engineers and A/E firms when their support is needed for projects. As a result of this activity, I developed skills in partnering, team building, communication, and knowledge sharing.
- I was also responsible for planning, designing, evaluating, and directing projects for maintenance and repair of existing and new construction. Assignments consisted of large numbers of projects at various stages of completion from site survey, to contract award and construction inspection. I prepared and designed drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and contract documents for projects to repair, maintain or construct new facilities and roads.
- This is a federal job
Project Manager
Murphy Constructors
Colorado Springs
05.1998 - 12.1998
- I was the Project Manager for a $7 million restoration of a historic hotel in Manitou Springs, Colorado. I was responsible for formulating and managing a schedule for project completion and as well as reviewing all drawings and specifications. I was also responsible for all subcontract contracts, gathering and assessing all proposals for bids, procuring the necessary materials, and supervising the overall construction and finish details of the project. The most challenging part of the position was acting as liaison between the owner, interior designer, and architect. This helped me develop my skills in team building, marketing and communications.
Budget and Contract Manager, CPT
US Army
Schofield Barracks
11.1997 - 05.1998
- I developed and implemented a program for the use of the Government IMPAC credit card and the Government American Express Card, monitoring all uses. I was responsible for contracting and controlling all expenses related to unit deployments and material procurement. I also planned and coordinated logistical supplies for unit deployments and successfully managed a $3.5 million budget for the organization.
Heavy Equipment Construction Supervisor, 1LT
US Army
Schofield Barracks
11.1996 - 11.1997
- I supervised and trained 40 personnel on earth moving construction and equipment maintenance. Organized three 14-day on-island deployments. Upgraded and repaired over 25 miles of roadway by placing a 6” coral cap, installing 5 culverts with headwalls, and repairing 10 existing culverts. My platoon extended the outfield of a softball field 50' by cutting over 8000 CY of earth and ensured that the proper slope and drainage was attained with Laser Leveling Equipment.
Project Manager, 2LT
US Army
Schofield Barracks
01.1996 - 11.1996
- Planned, managed and organized construction projects throughout the Pacific Theater where I enforced quality control and safety standards on all projects. I deployed, as the team leader, with 27 personnel to Kwajalein Atoll (Marshall Islands) for three months and constructed a 32' x 120' radar facility. I was Company Commander for three months providing accountability for the overall morale, health, and welfare of 60+ personnel.
Education
Bachelor's degree - Civil Engineering
Clarkson University
Potsdam, NY, United States05.1994
Skills
- Enterprise performance management
- Microsoft Excel
- SharePoint management
- Risk management
- Process optimization
- Policy development
Affiliations
- ITS Tennessee - member
- Institute of Transportation Engineers - member
Certification
Engineer in Training
References
- Pam Kordenbrock, FHWA, Division Administrator - TN Division, 615-781-5776, pamela.kordenbrock@dot.gov
- Arlene Kocher, FHWA, Division Administrator - MN Division, 651-291-6102, arlene.kocher@dot.gov
- Brian Fouch, FHWA, Director of Office of Preconstruction, Construction and Pavements, 202-366-5915, brian.fouch@dot.gov
Additional Information - Performance Ratings
- Outstanding Performance Ratings - 2018
- Outstanding Performance Ratings - 2014
- Outstanding Performance Ratings - 2011
- Outstanding Performance Ratings - 2010
- Outstanding Performance Ratings - 2008
- Outstanding Performance Ratings - 2007
- Outstanding Performance Ratings - 2005
- Outstanding Performance Ratings - 2003
Job Related Training
- MUTCD Training, 2009
- Safety and Operations Discipline Seminar
- Intersection Safety Workshop, 2017
- Operations Discipline Seminar
Timeline
Program Analyst
Federal Highway Administration
08.2022 - 03.2025
Technical Services Team Leader
Federal Highway Administration
02.2009 - 08.2022
Engineering Team Leader
Federal Highway Administration
01.2003 - 02.2009
Transportation Engineer
Federal Highway Administration
09.2000 - 01.2003
Civil Engineer
Directorate of Public Works, Project Management Division
12.1998 - 09.2000
Project Manager
Murphy Constructors
05.1998 - 12.1998
Budget and Contract Manager, CPT
US Army
11.1997 - 05.1998
Heavy Equipment Construction Supervisor, 1LT
US Army
11.1996 - 11.1997
Project Manager, 2LT
US Army
01.1996 - 11.1996
Bachelor's degree - Civil Engineering
Clarkson University
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