NEWS RELEASE
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 8, 2016) – Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) Secretary Greg Thomas has named Wade Clements as Chief District Engineer (CDE) for the District 2 highway office in Madisonville.
Clements said the main focus of his new role is to continue working to improve the region’s transportation infrastructure.
“We have a tremendously talented staff serving the 11 counties of District 2. I look forward to working with them and the people of the region to improve the safety and reliability of our transportation system,” Clements said. “I’m excited about the prospect of developing a new I-69 bridge at Henderson, and taking on other transportation projects that will benefit the region.”
Prior to being named CDE, Clements served as a permit supervisor and worked seven years as a branch manager for Project Preservation and Delivery branch for the 11-county district. Clements also served as an operations and maintenance engineer.
Clements left the Transportation Cabinet in 2011 to serve with the U.S. Navy Civil Engineering Corps, including a 1-year tour of active duty in West Africa in 2015. He continues to serve as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserves. He also spent a year at the University of North Florida conducting roadway pavement research for the Florida Department of Transportation in Gainesville.
Clements is a 1995 graduate of the University of Kentucky civil engineering school and joined the Cabinet in January of 1996. Clements is a Hopkins County native who grew up in a neighborhood across the street from the District 2 Office on North Main Street in Madisonville.
Clements, his wife, Crystal and two daughters live in Hanson.
Clements replaces District 2 Traffic Engineer Kenny Potts who has served as acting chief district engineer since Kevin McClearn’s retirement from the position in May. Clements’ appointment is effective Aug. 16.
KYTC District 2 has more miles of highway and more 4-lane miles that any other district in the state.
KYTC District 2 has approximately 350 employees who are responsible for 3300 miles of highway in Christian, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Hancock, Daviess, McLean, Hopkins, Caldwell, Webster, Henderson, and Union counties.