Eric Ireland Kalivoda, Ph.D., P.E.
CEE Hall Of Distinction: 2025
A native of Baton Rouge, Eric Kalivoda received a Bachlor of Science in Civil Engineering from Louisiana State University, a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona, and a Doctor of Philosophy from North Carolina State University. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Louisiana, Arizona, and North Carolina.
Kalivoda began his career as an Engineer-In-Training (now Engineer Intern) with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) in 1980. In 1982, he left DOTD to seek a master’s degree at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Kalivoda then moved to Raliegh to continue his graduate studies in pursuit of a Ph.D. at North Carolina State University.
Kalivoda joined the Arizona Department of Transportation where he held various positions directing staff engineers and technicians engaged in traffic engineering studies, highway safety studies, maintenance of the statewide traffic crash database, preparation of signing, marking, and construction traffic control plans, specifications and estimates.
Kalivoda returned to Louisiana in 1992 rejoining the Department of Transportation and Development where he directed staff engaged in statewide transportation planning, multistate planning efforts, and the development of bridge and pavement management systems.
Kalivoda held the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary (1999-2005) and then assistant Secretary (2005-2010) for the Office of Planning and Programming where he oversaw the work of four sections engaged in statewide and metropolitan transportation planning, highway project programming, mapping, environmental impact evaluation, highway safety policy and program development, bridge and pavement management system development, highway inventory and traffic monitoring programs, corridor studies, and development of conceptual designs, scopes, and budgets for selected projects.
In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Kalivoda provided leadership through the development of position papers and funding requests to aid in the recovery, and through the education of federal, state, and local officials regarding recovery needs pertaining to transportation infrastructure and services. He chaired the Transportation and Associated Infrastructure Planning Task Force of the Louisiana Recovery Authority’s Infrastructure and Transportation Recovery Team.
Kalivoda served as the DOTD Deputy Secretary from 2010 to 2023. As the second highest official of the Department, he provided executive-level strategic direction and administration for over 4200 employees organized into six offices and 58 sections with responsibilities inclusive of Management and Finance, Planning, Engineering, Operations, and Multimodal Commerce. Kalivoda provided executive-level oversight and guidance in the development and administration of the operating and capital budgets. He represented the Department on numerous national and state committees, chaired an internal board of executives, termed the Appeals Board, to hear appeals from customers unsatisfied with Department decisions regarding permits, mitigation requirements, etc., and chaired the Curriculum Council charged with developing the Department’s training programs.
In March 2023, Kalivoda was appointed DOTD Secretary and served in that capacity until his retirement in January 2024. As Secretary, he was a member of the Governor’s cabinet and conferred with him in formulating public policy. He communicated with federal, state, and local elected officials, and other agency heads on a continual basis to pursue opportunities and resolve issues. Kalivoda worked with the state legislature and industry partners to enact legislation beneficial to transportation and public works infrastructure and services. He was member of the Unified Command Group providing leadership during natural disasters and other state emergencies and served on numerous boards and commissions.
Kalivoda’s most significant career accomplishments at DOTD include setting direction for state investment through the development and implementation of long-range multimodal transportation plans for Louisiana through a process of extensive technical analyses, and public and industry engagement. Developing a highway project selection process that engages teams of professional staff throughout the agency. Educating the public and those they elect concerning the scope and magnitude of the responsibilities that DOTD has and how decisions are made. But most of all, helping to transform the image of DOTD in the eyes of the public, elected officials, and the media to that of a modern, efficient and effective multimodal transportation and public works state agency engaged in facilitating economic growth and enhancing the quality of life in Louisiana.