MARY LAMIE
Executive Vice President of Multimodal Enterprises
Bi-State Development
As a professional engineer with over 25 years of experience in transportation, engineering and management, Mary Lamie works to drive regional economic growth through public and private efforts and market the St. Louis region’s multimodal opportunities.
Before joining Bi-State Development, she was with the Illinois Department of Transportation for 23 years, where she was responsible for 27 counties in southern Illinois.
Lamie received her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Missouri, and a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Missouri at Rolla.
Career Path
I enjoyed math and science and decided my senior year of high school that engineering would allow me to continue those efforts. Civil engineering allowed me to apply my knowledge to the design and construction of projects, like roads, bridges, airports, ports and railways. Working for IDOT, EFK Moen Engineering Consultants and Bi-State provided opportunities to help design and build regionally and nationally significant projects, like high-speed rail between St. Louis and Chicago and rehabilitation of the McKinley Bridge. Recently, I’ve focused on building regional consensus on prioritizing infrastructure projects necessary to modernize the region’s freight network, including the Merchants Rail Bridge in downtown St. Louis, which is owned by Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis, and I-270 over the Mississippi River, north of St. Louis. My 23-year career with IDOT provided tremendous flexibility to take care of my two sons when they were young. My time spent with all of my employers has included lots of life lessons.
Biggest Mentor
At IDOT, a combination of supervisors and staff at the Collinsville and Springfield, Illinois offices, were mentors and sponsors. They provided guidance and encouragement, and were champions to promote my skills, abilities and interest. There’s something to be said when a peer makes the case why you should be assigned a high-profile or challenging project or why you should be considered for a promotion. My employers had confidence in my ability to learn new things and supported me through the learning curves that came with each new project and each new promotion.
Engineering can be a predominantly male profession and during the early part of my career, my supervisors helped me build relationships and contacts that I still rely on 30 years later. I’m grateful for their support and have made it a priority to provide the same support to others.
Biggest Impact
Taking advantage of our region’s opportunities and leveraging my abilities to help deliver nationally significant projects. Through collaboration with regional leaders and staff and leadership at Bi-State, the Missouri and Illinois Departments of Transportation and leaders in the private sector, we’ve advanced projects like the $690 million I-70 Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge and the $200 million Merchants Rail Bridge.
Future Goals
I’m focused on solving problems that might hinder our region’s growth. I enjoy working with bi-state leaders, local, state and federal elected leaders, creating opportunities to advance our region’s economy and positively impacting our region’s quality of life. These efforts are centered on maximizing infrastructure funding through public-private partners and partnering with other regions, which will help increase jobs in manufacturing and logistics industries.
Favorite Pastime
Spending time with family, whether on vacation in Key West, or enjoying pizza at Shakespeare’s in Columbia, Missouri.
Memorable Life Moment
They all revolve around time spent with friends and family, and I’m grateful for that.
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