Team

Paul J. Wiedefeld was confirmed as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) on February 13, 2023, and sworn in on March 2, 2023, the latest achievement in a career spanning more than 40 years, including transportation posts in the public and private sectors.

As Secretary, Mr. Wiedefeld oversees MDOT’s six agencies – the State Highway Administration, Maryland Transit Administration, Motor Vehicle Administration, Maryland Aviation Administration, Maryland Port Administration and Maryland Transportation Authority. He leads operations and maintenance of state highways, bridges, tollways, transit systems, motor vehicle licensing, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore. He serves serve as Chair of the MDTA Board, the Maryland Port Commission and the Maryland Aviation Commission; and a member of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board.

Secretary Wiedefeld most recently was Vice President with the international architectural and engineering firm HDR, where he served as the US Northeast Transportation Business Director. Prior to joining HDR, he was the General Manager/CEO of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) from 2015 to 2022. Metro is one of the nation’s largest transit systems, with more than 12,000 employees, an annual $2.2 billion operating budget, and a $2.5 billion capital program.

Prior to WMATA, Secretary Wiedefeld was the CEO of the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport for 10 years. Working closely with numerous airlines during his tenure, the airport grew to become the leading passenger airport in the Washington metropolitan region. To support this growth, he managed the largest capital expansion in the airport's history, including the construction of a 26-gate terminal for Southwest airlines, an 8,400-space parking garage, and a modern consolidated rental car facility.

Secretary Wiedefeld also served as the Administrator of the Maryland Transit Administration, managing day-to-day operations of what was then the nation’s 13th largest transit system, including commuter rail, subway, light rail, buses, and paratransit.

He was prepared for these executive level public sector challenges by holding various county, regional, and state level government positions during his career. Most notably, serving as the Director of the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Office of System Planning and Evaluation. In this position he was responsible for preparing the state’s long-range transportation plan and management of the Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP). The CTP is the department’s capital budget consisting of aviation, port, highway, and transit projects across Maryland. He was responsible for working extensively with a broad range of stakeholders throughout the state to reach consensus on transportation planning and programming initiatives to serve the needs of their communities.

Additional private sector experience includes a decade as a consultant with the engineering firm, Parsons Brinckerhoff.

Secretary Wiedefeld has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Towson University and a Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University. A Baltimore native, he attended Mount St. Joseph High School.

Jaclyn Hartman serves as the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Investments at the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), bringing over 19 years of experience in public finance and infrastructure policy. In this role, she oversees the Department’s capital investment strategy, financing programs, and public-private partnerships (P3s), ensuring Maryland’s multi-modal transportation network remains strong, sustainable, and forward-thinking.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Hartman served as MDOT’s Chief Financial Officer, overseeing the Department's financial operations, including its substantial annual operating costs, a multi-year capital investment program, and the management of outstanding debt obligations. She also previously led the Office of Public-Private Partnerships, applying her deep expertise in infrastructure finance and strategic planning.

Ms. Hartman has held key positions at the Maryland Transportation Authority and the Department of Legislative Services, where she worked on both the legislative and executive branch sides of Maryland’s P3 initiatives. She notably served as committee staff for the Joint Legislative and Executive Commission on Oversight of Public-Private Partnerships, helping to establish the statutory framework that governs P3s in Maryland today.

Jaclyn holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Elon University and a master’s degree in Public Policy. Known for her creative approach to solving fiscal challenges, she continues to play a pivotal role in advancing Maryland’s transportation investment strategy.

Octavia Robinson is a finance executive with over 15 years of public sector experience across multiple Maryland state agencies. Ms. Robinson holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Master of Science in Accountancy from the University of Phoenix. She currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), where she oversees the financial operations of one of the state’s largest agencies. MDOT’s multi-modal responsibilities include managing annual operating budgets, a six-year capital investment program, and the issuance and oversight of municipal bond debt to support transportation infrastructure across the state.

Before joining MDOT, Ms. Robinson held leadership positions at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, and the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund. Her career has been marked by a strong commitment to financial transparency, operational efficiency, and strategic investment in public infrastructure.

Ms. Robinson also served as committee staff for the Baltimore Commission for Women, where she advocated for policies aimed at improving opportunities and outcomes for families in Baltimore. She is an active member of the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS), supporting advancement and equity in the transportation industry.

In her current role, Ms. Robinson directs the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Office of Finance, which includes Accounting, Budget, Debt, Financial Planning, Financial Systems, and Payroll. She is responsible for ensuring the Department’s financial integrity, stable funding position, and compliance with State and federal regulations. Through collaboration with the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Investments she advises the Secretary on financial strategy, policy development, and long-term planning to support MDOT's mission and business goals.

Kina Johnson-Malcolm serves as the Director of Debt at the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT).  Kina has over 20 years of experience in Government finance.  Currently, Kina manages the issuance and post issuance compliance on all MDOT issued Bonds.  Ms. Johnson-Malcolm has held positions with the Maryland State Treasurer’s Office and the Maryland Aviation Administration.  Kina is a member of the Women in Public Finance and the Maryland Government Finance Office Association.