MDOT names new chief engineer for South Mississippi

The Mississippi Department of Transportation has named Billy Owen as the new District 6 engineer.

Owen will assume the duties held by Kelly Castleberry, who is retiring the end of the year. Owen begins his new duties on Jan. 1.

District 6 encompasses 14 counties in southeast Mississippi.

“Billy’s intelligence, skills, efficiency and experience will serve the people of southeast Mississippi exceedingly well,” said Brad White, MDOT Executive Director. “I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Billy and have every confidence in his leadership abilities and commitment to moving our state’s transportation system forward.”

Owen received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Mississippi State University in 1998 and began working in MDOT’s Gulfport Project Office as an engineer-in-training. He transferred to the Contract Administration division in MDOT’s Jackson office in 2004 where he held various positions before being named division director in July 2013.

In 2016, Owen was promoted to Assistant Chief Engineer – Operations, and in 2019, he was appointed as Assistant Chief Engineer – Field Operations, overseeing contract administration, construction, materials, maintenance and permits/motor carriers.

As District 6 Engineer, Owen will oversee all construction and maintenance projects in the area, which covers portions of the Pine Belt as well as the Mississippi Gulf Coast.