Dr. Kam K. Movassaghi

CEE Hall of Distinction: 2004

Dr. Kam K. Movassaghi is currently President and CEO of Movassaghi Group, PEC, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He has experience in civil engineering in the areas of consulting, academia, and government. Dr. Movassaghi received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette in 1963. He then went on to earn his Master of Science and his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University’s CEE Department in 1965 and 1971, respectively.

Dr. Movassaghi served as an engineer in several engineering firms in his early career. He then joined the faculty at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette (formerly Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette). He was then selected as head of the Department of Civil Engineering. Under his direction the department expanded programs in research, developed a design computation laboratory, developed a graduate engineering management program, and received very successful ABET accreditation reviews.

In 1998 Dr. Movassaghi was appointed by then Governor M.J. “Mike” Foster as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. With this position, Dr. Movassaghi was able to increase the annual construction project lettings by 78 percent with no net increase in annual revenues. He also implemented a comprehensive management plan to expedite completion of the TIMED program, the largest construction program in the history of the department. Dr. Movassaghi accomplished these and many among other notable feats in the 6 years as he served the state in this role.

Some of Dr. Movassaghi’s awards and honors include the President Award of Merit, Louisiana Engineering Society (2004); Highway Safety Award, Louisiana Highway Safety Commission (2004); National Government Engineer of the Year, American Society of Civil Engineers (2002); Engineering Faculty Professionalism Award, Louisiana Engineering Society (1997); and Outstanding Civil Engineer of the Year, Louisiana Section of American Society of Civil Engineers (1995). He is also a member of American Society of Civil Engineers, Louisiana Engineering Society, Phi Kappa Phi, Chi Epsilon, and Sigma Xi. Dr. Movassaghi is a registered Professional Engineer and a Professional Land Surveyor in the state of Louisiana.

In addition to his many contributions to the engineering community, he has given to his local community through various avenues of community service Dr. Movassaghi is a loving husband and father of two children.