Karl S. Bowers (October 13, 1941 - January 31, 2012), was an American highway administrator.
Karl S Bowers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration | |
| In office August 3, 1978 – January 1980 | |
| President | Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | William M. Cox |
| Succeeded by | John S. Hassell Jr. |
| Deputy Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration | |
| In office June 5, 1977 – August 3, 1978 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 13, 1941 Estill, South Carolina |
| Died | January 31, 2012 (aged 70) |
| Spouse | Susan Davis |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Virginia Southern College Armstrong-College University of South Carolina |
He came from a highway background, having served as a South Carolina State Highway Commissioner, 1974 to 1977; Vice Chairman of the State Highway and Public Transportation Commission, 1975; and Chairman of the Commission, 1976. He became the Deputy Federal Highway Administrator in 1977 and served until he took office as Administrator on August 3, 1978, to 1980.[1] He resigned in January 1980.[2]
Under Bowers's tenure, the Federal Highway Administration:
- Accomplished an enviable record in minority recruitment and hiring and in the promotion of the Minority Business Enterprise Program.[citation needed]
- Made significant strides towards the Congressional mandate to expedite completion of the Interstate System.
- Emphasized commitment to rehabilitating and repairing the existing highway network.
- Reduced the inflationary rate in highway construction during 1979 over the previous year, in the face of serious escalating costs.
- Accomplished its highest level of obligations in history – $9.3 billion overall, with $8.5 billion for those programs subject to the congressional law.
Personal life
editBowers was married and has three children.[3]
Death
editOn January 31, 2012, Karl Bowers died at age 70.[4]
References
edit- ^ Whitnah, Donald Robert (June 13, 1998). U.S. Department of Transportation: A Reference History. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 9780313283406. Retrieved June 13, 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ Brinson, Claudia (March 11, 1980). "Ex-U.S. Highway Administrator Faces Trial in S.C." – via www.washingtonpost.com.
- ^ "Biographical Sketch" (PDF). Retrieved 17 July 2024.
- ^ "Karl Smith Bowers Obituary -". Dignity Memorial. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
This article incorporates public domain material from KARL S. BOWERS. United States Department of Transportation.