Chief Engineer, ALDOT
Don Arkle was appointed Chief Engineer in January 2016. His duties include the planning and design of Alabama’s state, U.S. and interstate highway system. Arkle previously served as assistant chief engineer for policy and planning. He spent 25 years in ALDOT’s Design Bureau, and was bureau chief prior to becoming assistant chief engineer. He is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in civil engineering.
East Central Region Engineer, ALDOT
Mr. Leonard began his employment with ALDOT while attending college. Positions he has held include Project Inspector/Survey Crewman, Assistant Project Engineer, Project Engineer, District Engineer in Madison County, and the Assistant Division Engineer for County Transportation. He has served as Division Engineer since 2004 and was appointed East Central Region Engineer in October 2014.
He received a BS degree in Civil Engineering Technology from Alabama A&M University and a BS degree in Civil Engineering from Auburn University.
Assistant Region Engineer, Pre-Construction
Over his 40-year career with the Alabama Department of Transportation, Steve Haynes has served as a District Engineer, Project Engineer, Division Design Engineer, Division Location Engineer, Division Pre-Construction Engineer, and now serves as the Assistant Region Engineer for Pre-Construction in the East Central Region.
Steve is a Graduate of Auburn University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He has a Professional Engineer’s License and a Professional Land Surveyor’s License.
Birmingham Area Construction Engineer, ALDOT
Mr. Smith joined ALDOT in 1990 and worked on various construction projects as a Project Inspector and later as a Project Engineer. He later served as a District Manager prior to being appointed to his current position.
He received a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Auburn University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Alabama.
Environmental Construction Engineer, ALDOT
Mr. Klinger has served ALDOT in the Construction Bureau’s Environmental Construction Section since 2017. His responsibilities include environmental construction plan reviews, project site reviews, advising environmental research projects, advising the Product Evaluation Board regarding erosion and sediment control products, and improving environmental protection on ALDOT projects. He serves as the director and lead instructor for ALDOT’s Qualified Credentialed Inspector Training Program.
Mr. Klinger graduated from Auburn University in 2007 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering, and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Alabama.
COG Facilitator
Ms. Cousins is the principal of Ashley Cousins Environmental Strategies & Solutions, LLC (ACESS), an environmental consulting firm that specializes in strategic environmental project planning, communications, regulatory support, and issues management. She has been involved in many environmental projects including commercial and industrial site acquisition; transportation projects; environmental investigations and remediation; environmental permitting, compliance and regulatory negotiation and communication. Ms. Cousins also provides community outreach, communication, and public involvement services for management of sensitive environmental issues. Examples of such projects include the Coliseum Boulevard Plume in Montgomery, Alabama; US 98 in Mobile County, Alabama; and the Norfolk Southern Intermodal Facility in McCalla, Alabama. She is located in Montgomery. She is a licensed Professional Engineer.
Public Information Officer, East Central Region
Linda Crockett is a 20 year State employee with 16 years at ALDOT. She worked for 15 years as a Public Information Officer for the Central Office before transferring to the East Central Region.
She received her B.S. in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Alabama State University.
Governmental Relations Manager/ Bureau Chief, Media & Community Relations, ALDOT
Mr. Harris has worked in communications, public relations, and governmental affairs since 1993. He joined the Director’s staff in November 2004 where he serves as ALDOT’s primary spokesman with the news media and manages the Department’s Media and Community Relations Bureau.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism/Public Relations from Troy State University, and has completed graduate studies in Public Administration. He is a 2005 graduate of the National Transportation Management Conference, and is also a graduate of Wiregrass Leadership Institute, one of Alabama’s regional leadership development programs.
