Team

Samantha J. Biddle started serving as Acting Transportation Secretary in August 2025. Previously she served as Deputy Transportation Secretary since 2023. Acting Secretary Biddle has spent nearly two decades in the transportation industry, serving in both the public and private sector.

As Deputy Secretary, she served as a member of the Secretary’s cabinet and as the primary liaison to the Governor’s office, leading on policy and operational matters to ensure the successful management of the Maryland Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Secretary’s Office and six transportation modes spanning transit, highways, airport, port, tolling and motor vehicle services. In this role, she coordinated with internal and external stakeholders on project and policy matters including development and review of state and federal legislation, economic development opportunities, and innovative funding pursuits; oversaw development of capital and operating budgets and corresponding stakeholder messaging; monitored and supported the major infrastructure profile of MDOT; and created a people-based, department-wide narrative strategy focused on safety, positive return on investments, delivery and innovation

Acting Secretary Biddle joined state service in 2014, beginning as the State Highway Administration’s (SHA) Regional Planner for Frederick and Montgomery Counties. She was then promoted to Assistant Chief and Chief of Regional and Intermodal Planning, and Director of Organizational Excellence and Strategy. Following her time at SHA, she was selected to serve as Chief Strategy Officer within the Secretary’s Office and then advanced further to serve as Chief of Staff.

Acting Secretary Biddle holds a bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Delaware and is an American Institute Certified Planner (AICP). She also completed the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Executive Institute and SHA Advanced Leadership Program. She serves as Maryland’s voting member for AASHTO’s Transportation Policy Forum, Chair of the AASHTO Census Transportation Solutions (ACTS) technical service program, is a Director-At-Large for Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) – Baltimore Chapter and serves as a Young Professionals Program Mentor. She was named one of the Daily Record’s Maryland Top 100 Women for 2024 and named WTS Baltimore’s Woman of the Year in 2024. Prior to joining SHA, Acting Secretary Biddle worked in the private sector as an Associate Transportation Planner with JMT Engineering for eight years.

Acting Secretary Biddle lives in Carroll County with her two daughters, husband, and dog. She is a lifelong field hockey player, participating regularly in both local leagues and the U.S. Women’s Masters Team.

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.