NASHVILLE, TN — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announces the appointment of Will Reid, PE, as Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). Reid succeeds former TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley, who stepped down from his role as Commissioner but remains as Deputy Governor, continuing to advise Lee on long-term statewide projects until his departure later this year.
“Will Reid is a proven leader whose unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation has elevated the work of TDOT and the future of transportation in Tennessee,” Lee said. “His deep understanding of our state’s infrastructure needs, coupled with a track record of driving efficiency and transparency, makes him the right person to lead TDOT into its next chapter of service to Tennesseans.”
Reid has served as TDOT’s Chief Engineer and Deputy Commissioner since August 2022. A native of Bartlett, Tennessee, Reid began his career with TDOT in 2014 as Director of Construction and has since held a number of key leadership positions. Prior to his public service, he spent over 15 years as a Transportation Engineering Consultant. He holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Memphis and is a licensed engineer in the state of Tennessee.
Reid was a major contributor to the development of TDOT’s first-ever fiscally constrained 10-Year Project Plan, unveiled in 2024. He also played a significant role in the reorganization of TDOT, aimed at accelerating project delivery and maximizing taxpayer investment.
As Commissioner, Reid will continue to advance TDOT’s mission to provide a safe and reliable transportation system that supports economic growth, enhances quality of life, and improves mobility for all Tennesseans.
