NEWS RELEASE
MADISONVILLE, Ky. (April 21, 2016) – Kevin McClearn, Chief District Engineer for the District 2 office of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) Department of Highways is retiring effective Friday, April 29. McClearn is a 23-year veteran of the Transportation Cabinet who was promoted to CDE in 2009.
“Even though I’ve only known Kevin a short time, it has been a pleasure to work with such a dedicated public servant,” Transportation Secretary Greg Thomas said. “On behalf of the entire cabinet, I thank Kevin for his hard work and congratulate him on a well-earned retirement.”
Announcing his retirement to his coworkers, McClearn noted that district 2 has faced some significant transportation challenges during his tenure.
“My time with you has been more than terrific, particularly these past 7 years and 3 months as your Chief District Engineer,” McClearn said. “With your help, District 2 has moved successfully through many tough issues. Among them, the 2009 ice storm, the cleanup and the FEMA ‘storm’ after the 2009 ice storm, the development and opening of I-69 in our area, two closures of the Blue Bridge at Owensboro for deck work and painting, the Great Flood of 2011, employee furloughs, the U.S. 60 Extension at Owensboro, the extension of the Pennyrile Parkway to I-24 at Hopkinsville, and countless other projects.”
McClearn thanked his fellow employees for their commitment to public service.
“Please be proud of what you do for a living, for it is truly a high calling,” McClearn added.
When he took the position, McClearn credited his predecessor Ted Merryman with providing a template for his management style.
District 2 includes 3,300 miles of state-maintained roads and is the state’s largest district with more four-lane miles and more bridges than any other district.
Prior to his appointment as Chief District Engineer, McClearn served as design section supervisor for the district. His 23 years with the cabinet included six years as the district’s planning branch manager, in addition to other roles in the planning and design sections.
He has also served as project manager on highway construction projects across the region.
Prior to joining the cabinet in 1993, McClearn was an engineer at ANDALEX Resources Inc., a coal mining firm in Madisonville.
McClearn is a 1989 graduate of Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. He is a Kentucky Certified Public Manager and a graduate of the KYTC Advanced Leadership Academy.
Kevin and his wife Nancy have two grown children. His coworkers have scheduled a reception in his honor at the District 2 Madisonville office from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon on Friday, April 29th.
