Keynote Speakers for the upcoming RIDOT Symposium and Peer Exchange on AI in the Road and Mobility Sector

Sean McMaster

Sean McMaster is the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Nominated by President Trump on March 10, 2025 to lead the FHWA, he has more than two decades of public- and private-sector experience in government and transportation policy, with a résumé that includes prior Federal service at DOT during the first Trump Administration, as well as positions with the U.S. Congress, Boeing Company, and HNTB Corporation.

McMaster previously worked at DOT during the Trump Administration’s first term as both the Deputy Chief of Staff and the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs. In these roles, he served as a strategic advisor to the Secretary and other DOT leaders. He also played a lead role in creating and overseeing Trump Administration policies and programs, successfully managed the DOT’s congressional relationships, and was instrumental in developing the Surface Reauthorization proposal.

Other public-sector positions include working as a Professional Staff Member for the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Deputy Chief of Staff for U.S. Congressman John Mica of Florida.

McMaster’s private-sector experience includes serving as the Vice President for Commercial Aviation and Transportation for the Boeing Company and both a National Practice Consultant and the Vice President of the Advisory Services, Strategy, and Transformation Group for the HNTB Corporation. During his time in the private sector, he led a government-affairs team, developed and chaired a grant support services team, maintained relationships with Congress and government officials, conducted strategic planning and policy analysis, and shared his knowledge of federal transportation funding and policy.

McMaster earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from George Mason University. A proud husband and father, he married his wife in 2004. His eldest son is a newly minted lance corporal in the United States Marine Corps, where he serves as an air-traffic controller; his youngest son recently graduated from high school; and his daughter just graduated from the eighth grade.

Seval Oz

Seval Oz serves as the Assistant Secretary for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology at the U.S. Department of Transportation, where she drives innovation deployment and aligns R&D with national strategic goals. A pioneer in autonomous and connected mobility, Seval formerly served as Head of Global Partnerships for Google [X]’s Self-Driving Car Program (Waymo) and as CEO of Continental Intelligent Transportation Systems, where she launched Continental AG’s Silicon Valley division.

Her extensive leadership experience includes serving as CEO of Aurima and holding public board positions with Microvision (MVIS) and Pioneer Electronics. An expert in AI, ADAS, and digital transformation, Seval holds nine patents in vehicular technology and is a published author in MIT Technology Review. She earned her MBA from the Wharton School and her bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College and MIT.