After serving as the interim director of Austin Transportation and the new Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) since June 6, 2022, Richard Mendoza was named TPW’s permanent director on November 28, 2023. Mendoza has served on Movability's Board of Directors since 2022.

"I am incredibly honored for the opportunity to continue leading TPW. I will do my best every day to support our dedicated staff in serving our community," Mendoza said.

Mendoza joined the City in January 2017 as the director of Public Works and served in that role until he was asked to lead Austin Transportation in 2022 as the interim director.

Following the merger of Austin Transportation and Public Works in spring 2023, Mendoza has overseen the new, combined department of more than 1,000 employees.

In the permanent director role, Mendoza will continue to oversee an annual operating budget of $140 million and a portfolio of $1.4 billion in capital improvement projects. The responsibilities of the department include providing a safe, reliable and accessible street network for everyone in the city – no matter how they choose to get around.

Before coming to Austin, Mendoza worked in Atlanta, Georgia, as the commissioner of Public Works from 2010 to 2017. His career also includes serving as the assistant director for Public Works in San Antonio, public works director in San Marcos and production manager for the San Antonio Water System.

Mendoza and his wife Martha have five children, eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter, all in Texas, with whom they enjoy family barbecues and road trips.