As the Director of Public Works, Don is responsible for the planning, design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction of approved transportation projects. In addition, he provides engineering support to the County's four Road and Bridge Districts, and real estate support to the entire County government. Transportation projects are executed in partnership with Dallas county cities, Texas Department of Transportation, North Texas Tollway Authority, and Dallas Area Rapid Transit.

Don joined Dallas County in December 1998 after serving 30 years in the U.S. Army as a Corps of Engineers officer. His last assignment was Commander, Southwestern Division, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, with headquarters in Dallas.

Don is a South Dakota native and since transition from the military has become a resident of Texas. He has a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering, an M.S. degree in Civil Engineering, and an M.A. degree in International Relations, and is a registered professional engineer in the States of Colorado and Texas.

Don and his wife Sandi have 3 grown children, residing in Honolulu, HI, Chicago, IL, and San Jose, CA.