The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recently appointed Natnael Asfaw, P.E. as the Brownwood Area Engineer.

In this position, Asfaw will manage construction projects in Brown, Coleman, Lampasas, McCulloch, Mills, and San Saba Counties, as well as supervising ten employees in the Brownwood Area Office.

Asfaw received his bachelor’s degree in Construction Technology & Management from Addis Ababa University in 2008 and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering with a pavement focus from Oklahoma State University in 2011. He also recently graduated with a Master of Engineering and a Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering) from the University of Texas at Arlington.

In 2011, Asfaw began his career with TxDOT at the Fort Worth District working as an inspector through the Goodwill Employee Program in the North Tarrant Area Office. He eventually landed a permanent position as a General Transportation Technician and quickly advanced as an Engineering Assistant. In 2013, he transferred to the Central Design Office where he gained experience in plan development and delivery. He became a construction engineer at South Tarrant County Area Office in 2014, overseeing multiple Design Bid Build and Design Build projects, including the construction of the SH 360 managed lanes.

From 2017 onward, Asfaw worked for a consultant project management office developing and delivering feasibility, schematic, and Plan, Specification, and Estimates Projects, except for a brief stint where he served five districts including Fort Worth as a project manager and field agent under the project and portfolio management section of Transportation Programs Division.

In May 2023, Asfaw accepted a position as a design manger in STCAO where he was able to work and collaborate with Design, maintenance, and construction sections, optimizing the Category 1 program (the preventative maintenance and rehabilitation budget) for existing roads and the four-year preventative maintenance program. His total TxDOT project delivery experience included overseeing and delivering over $3 billion in design and construction.

In addition to his work at TxDOT, Asfaw enjoys serving as a reserve officer in the Navy Civil Engineering Corps.

He enjoys spending time with his family and working on projects around the house. He and his fiancée, Diana, are proud parents of three children: Azariah (7), Mariam (2), and Aaron (1).

Asfaw officially began his role as Brownwood Area Engineer on Monday, June 12, 2023.