JUNE 12, 2013
Scottsdale selects new transportation director
The city of Scottsdale has selected Paul Basha (r), a traffic engineering and transportation professional with nearly 40 years of experience, to lead its transportation department. He takes over the position from Dave Meinhart following his retirement. Basha will start in Scottsdale on June 10.
For the past 13 years, Basha has worked as a professional engineering consultant on a broad range of transportation planning and traffic operation projects throughout the Valley and Arizona. His previous consulting experience includes EPS Group, Morrison Maierle and Olsson Associates. His clients have included the cities and towns of Scottsdale, Tempe, Paradise Valley, Carefree, Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert, Surprise, Maricopa, and Kayenta; the Maricopa Association of Governments, the Maricopa County Department of Transportation, and the Arizona Department of Transportation. Basha previously worked for the city of Scottsdale from 1984 to 2000.
“Paul’s combination of public-sector and private-sector experience, as well as his knowledge of and passion for Scottsdale, made him the ideal candidate for the position,” said Paul Katsenes, Scottsdale’s community and economic development executive director. “Paul cares about the community and is committed to providing quality transportation solutions and projects.”
“I am thrilled to return to Scottsdale’s transportation team,” Basha said. “I look forward to leading this team and supporting initiatives that improve mobility, access and quality of life.”
Basha holds a master’s degree in civil engineering from Michigan State University and a bachelor’s degree from Michigan Technological University. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Arizona, Washington, and Nevada; and a certified Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (Transportation Professional Certification Board). Basha has taught both graduate and undergraduate transportation courses at Arizona State University since 1996. He is currently teaching “Introduction to Transportation Engineering.”
