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Constance S. Sorrell is responsible for creating new focus on operating the highway system and for improving travel throughout Virginia as the Chief of System Operations. The system operations function was created to proactively manage the existing roadway capacity to its highest level, in addition to the more traditional businesses of construction and maintenance. She is the first person to have this role at VDOT.
Sorrell is responsible for the $1 billion maintenance and operations budget. Her leadership directs all system operations and maintenance for the state highway system, including planning and delivering programs and projects to alleviate congestion at traffic choke points, developing innovative ways to manage highway incidents, and employing Smart Travel and traveler information systems. She and her staff continually review the department�s highway maintenance program to deliver the most cost effective maintenance to maintain roads to a high standard and to decrease the impact of maintenance activities on traffic flow. Improvement of snow and ice-removal operations also is in her purview.
From Jan. to Oct. 2004, Sorrell also served as the interim Hampton Roads District Administrator. Before assuming her present position, Sorrell had served as Chief of Policy and Organizational Development since December 1998. Earlier, Sorrell served as district administrator for the Richmond District for nine years.
Sorrell came to the department in 1982, beginning in the Management Services Division, where she was the division administrator from 1985-1989. Sorrell has been the recipient of the Commissioner�s Award for Excellence twice. She also received the International Managers Council of Richmond�s Manager of the Year award for her leadership of the Richmond District.
Education
Sorrell holds a bachelor�s degree in Political Science and Economics from Radford University. She attended graduate school at the University of Amsterdam, Radford University, and the University of Richmond. She is a graduate of the American Association of State Transportation and Highway Officials (AASHTO) Executive Management Institute, Indiana University and the Virginia Executive Institute.
Organizations
Sorrell serves as a member of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America�s Board of Directors. She is also vice-chair of the AASHTO Subcommittee on Operations. She is a member of the Advisory Board for the Commonwealth Charity Campaign. Sorrell was appointed as member of the Transportation Research Board�s (TRB's) Research and Technology Coordinating committee. She is the former chairperson of TRB's Strategic Planning Committee. She is a member of AASHTO, the American Society for Quality, and the American Association of University Women.
Personal
A native of Richmond, she is married to Ray T. Sorrell.
Interests & Hobbies
Sailing, tennis, and gardening | 