Team

Governor Wes Moore appointed Kathryn “Katie” Thomson as secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation on December 18, 2025.

Secretary Thomson brings more than 30 years of experience in transportation, aviation, energy, and sustainability law, policy, and operations to the role. She most recently served as deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, where she acted as chief operating officer for an organization of more than 45,000 employees. In that role, she oversaw a $20 billion annual budget and led initiatives to enhance safety oversight, modernize national airspace infrastructure, and strengthen workforce pipelines.

A veteran of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Secretary Thomson previously served as the department’s general counsel, where she supervised 500 attorneys and coordinated legal work across all modes of transportation. She also served as the director of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s implementation, managing the strategic investment of $660 billion in federal funding to modernize the nation’s infrastructure.

In the private sector, Secretary Thomson served as vice president and associate general counsel for worldwide transportation and sustainability at Amazon, leading the legal team supporting global logistics and the company’s climate commitments. Her career also includes serving as a partner at the law firms Sidley Austin and Morrison & Foerster, with a focus on environmental and transportation law.

Secretary Thomson earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

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.