The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission appoints a new director of the Missouri Department of Transportation.

 Ed Hassinger will take the reins of the state agency. Hassinger has a degree in civil engineering and has worked for MoDOT for over 40 years. Hassinger says he will focus on safety, workforce development, and project efficiency in his new position.

He takes over after the previous director Patrick McKenna resigned in September after nearly nine years in the position.