MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. – The Mobile County Commission appointed Kimberly Newberry Sanderson to the position of County Engineer at its regular meeting on Monday, July 22, 2024. This role is vital to ensuring safe and efficient local transportation.

She is the first female County Engineer in Mobile County’s 212-year history.

On April 1, 2024, the Commission granted Sanderson the authority to act as the County Engineer in advance of the retirement of W. Bryan Kegley, and on May 9, 2024, she was named Interim County Engineer.

Sanderson has been employed by the Mobile County Commission since 2001 in increasingly responsible positions, including Assistant County Engineer, Engineering Manager-Design, and Engineer III. She was previously employed by Polysurveying of Mobile and the Alabama Department of Transportation.

As County Engineer, Sanderson will oversee the daily operations of the Engineering Department and its 30 employees.  She will be responsible for the planning and construction of Mobile County roads and bridges as well as other engineering projects and infrastructure initiatives. The County Engineer is a key figure in each bi-annual Pay-As-You-Go Transportation Improvement Program and serves as a voting member of the Mobile Metropolitan Planning Organization representing Mobile County.

As Assistant County Engineer and Interim County Engineer, Sanderson was instrumental in the Commission’s engineering planning and budgeting, project implementation, and oversight. Mobile County has more than 160 bridges, and she has had primary oversight of Mobile County’s Bridge Management Programs for 20 years.  She began overseeing Mobile County’s efforts with the State’s Rebuild Alabama program in 2021, through which Mobile County plans and implements annual road construction projects. Mobile County’s Pay-As-You-Go program has been approved every time it’s gone before voters since 1977; Sanderson has assisted with program development 10 times and is leading the development of the 2024 program.

Sanderson is both a Professional Engineer and a Certified Bridge Inspector. She holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Auburn University and earned an Association of County Commissions of Alabama Certificate in County Engineering Administration.

She’s been a member of the Technical Coordinating Committee of the Mobile Metropolitan Planning Organization for more than 10 years and is active with the Association of County Engineers of Alabama.

COMMISSIONERS SAID:
Merceria Ludgood, District 1: “County Engineering shapes local infrastructure. Kim Sanderson’s dedication and superior service have more than prepared her for this promotion. We look forward to her continued service in this new role.”

Connie Hudson, District 2: “After decades of exemplary service, it’s our pleasure to promote Kim Sanderson to the top engineering position in Mobile County. Her knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience make her uniquely suited for this appointment. We believe the County will benefit by having her in this pivotal role.”

President Randall Dueitt, District 3: “Kim Sanderson’s promotion to County Engineer is a testament to her skills and experience, as well as her deep understanding of our engineering function. Her approach to challenges, innovative solutions, and earned respect make her the perfect leader for Mobile County Engineering.”