Meet Dr. Dangerfield: MDOT’s Newest Assistant Secretary

If there’s one thing you should know about Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Assistant Secretary of Administration Percy Dangerfield, it’s that he has an open-door policy.

The longtime transportation professional became the latest addition to the MDOT leadership team in July when Secretary Katie Thomson named Dr. Dangerfield Assistant Secretary of Administration after two months in the role in an acting capacity. His 30-year career in supporting the people that make our transportation systems move has included positions as chief of staff for the Cleveland Department of Port Control, nearly a decade at the State Highway Administration and most recently 13 years as Chief Administrative Officer at the Maryland Transportation Authority.

As MDOT’s Assistant Secretary of Administration, he has direct responsibility for human resources, IT, facilities, safety and security, the Equal Opportunity Unit, audit and rail safety and works with the modes to set the entire agency’s culture, growing MDOT’s reputation as an employer of choice.

Throughout his career, Dr. Dangerfield has always focused on employee development and ensuring that organizations support an inclusive learning environment.

We sat down with Dr. Dangerfield at MDOT headquarters to learn more about his vision for the role. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

You were recently appointed MDOT Assistant Secretary of Administration. What led you to this point?

Assistant Secretary Dangerfield: I started my transportation career in 1998 on a personal services contract at the State Highway Administration, so from that moment, to being in the role that I am now, 20 years later, is very surreal and exciting at the same time.

This office is where the policies related to people and our organizational environment really start. In my previous role as chief administrative officer at the Maryland Transportation Authority — a mode with a total workforce with about 1,700 employees – there were very similar responsibilities. In this role, that’s expanded to 10,000 employees across all MDOT – so it’s a great opportunity to be a part of building that corporate culture.

You’re no stranger to MDOT. What have you learned in your years as a transportation industry leader that you’ll take with you to this new position?

Assistant Secretary Dangerfield: One lesson learned is to always make time to understand the needs and highlight the importance of your actual workforce. We spend a lot of time making sure MDOT’s important projects and programs are on time and on budget and that our processes are extremely efficient. I think if you really focus on creating a really positive culture, the employees in turn will improve their engagement and their motivation and that will really impact your organization’s success.

What are you most excited to tackle?

Assistant Secretary Dangerfield: I believe there is huge potential for the employees here at headquarters to really engage and really support Secretary Thomson’s vision of an inclusive culture and a culture that supports professional growth.

One of the things I say all the time is when people leave organizations, they typically don’t leave an organization; they typically leave their supervisor. It’s really about those relationships you build at work. I’m excited about working with our engagement team, working with our human resources team to home in on building an environment where employees are excited to come to work and their contributions are celebrated – just creating a really good culture where MDOT is an employer of choice.

You have worked in multiple transportation modes, from highways to tolls, bridges and airports. What’s your favorite mode?

Assistant Secretary Dangerfield: That’s like asking, ‘what’s your favorite child,’ right? Each of the modes offered a very unique and positive experience, which together helped me get where I am today. They all played a very significant role in my professional development and there are things I cherish about each of them.

Anything else you’d like people to know about you?

Assistant Secretary Dangerfield: I’m approachable. I have open-door policy and I want employees to feel as if they can share and express their concerns. And I actively look for ways to acknowledge when an employee or a team is doing something positive – it’s just my style.

Lastly, I’m a recovering Commanders fan.

 

Ana Lucia Murillo is a Senior Writer with the Maryland Department of Transportation.