Capka

J. Richard (Rick) Capka is chief operating officer of Dawson & Associates. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, a master’s of engineering degree from the University of California-Berkeley, and an MBA from the Chaminade University of Honolulu.

He previously was administrator of the Federal Highway Administration and executive director of Massachusetts Turnpike Authority after retiring as a brigadier general from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He has been active in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), and was on the board of directors of CALFED. He is an ASCE OPAL (Outstanding Projects and Leadership) Award recipient for lifetime achievement in management. He has also received the ASCE Civil Government Award, three Gold Medals for Outstanding Achievement from the Secretary of Transportation, and the U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal among others.

Rick and Susan have been married for 45 years and have two sons, both engineers. David is a graduate of Virginia Tech and is the director of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Division of Dam Safety and Inspections. Rick is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and manages construction for Sound Transit in Seattle. Rick and Susan have seven grandchildren. They enjoy travel and water activities.