Preview
Description
Will Watts:
- Day 1 - Opening Remarks
- Day 2 - B1: Integrating AAM Operations
- Day 2 - B2: Florida's Aerial Network Entry
Will Watts, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Assistant Secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation, has a long and storied transportation career spanning over 26 years. His wide-ranging background includes hands-on delivery, local program and community support, completing complex projects under accelerated schedules, and statewide strategic program leadership.
More recently, Assistant Secretary Watts has been a driving force behind implementing the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative and currently serves as the Program Executive Director for the Moving I-4 Forward program. Under his stewardship with Moving I-4 Forward, the program has brought positive community and industry impacts throughout construction as seen through the completion of the program’s congestion relief lanes that were completed eight months ahead of schedule and reduced travel times from 60 minutes to just 22 minutes. Guided by his focus on strengthening and leveraging the power of industry partnerships, Assistant Secretary Watts has also taken an innovative approach to improve contract delivery methods through the development of a brand-new, first-in-the-nation method called “Modified Phased Design-Build.”
In addition to his leadership with successfully delivering statewide infrastructure projects, Assistant Secretary Watts has also led FDOT’s strategic efforts for the development of the Department’s action plan for implementing Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) for the state of Florida. With his vision for a forward-thinking transportation system, Assistant Secretary Watts’ expertise in delivering complex projects will ensure this emerging mode of transportation takes flight in Florida.
His whole career, from more recent roles as Director of Operations in FDOT’s Northeast District to Chief Engineer for the entire agency, has been serving FDOT and working for the residents of Florida with a priority for a target of zero for safety, expanding workforce development, advancing technology, ensuring a robust supply chain, and implementing resiliency strategies for our local communities.
