MnDOT veteran, top engineer named to agency's No. 2 post

David Brewster, Star Tribune

Khani Sahebjam

Last update: May 13, 2008 - 10:00 PM

Khani Sahebjam has been named deputy commissioner and chief engineer of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the agency announced on Tuesday.

Sahebjam, 49, has worked for MnDOT for 18 years, serving as top engineer for the metro district since February 2006.

Tom Sorel, MnDOT's new commissioner, said Sahebjam's solid working relationships with the private and public sectors "will benefit MnDOT as we work to rebuild trust in our public transportation system."

Sahebjam will supervise the directors of MnDOT's five divisions. He said Tuesday that his focus will be "to strengthen the department from within," including filling some vacancies while keeping an eye on budgets.

Sahebjam replaces Lisa Freese, named deputy commissioner in February 2007. Lucy Kender, the department's communications director, said Tuesday that Freese "is taking an opportunity outside of MnDOT."

Kender said deputy commissioners who are engineers traditionally also carry the title of chief engineer. Freese was not an engineer.

Sahebjam has a master's degree in structural engineering and a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from South Dakota State University. Before joining MnDOT, he worked in the private sector.

JIM FOTI