Marquis Who’s Who, the world’s premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to honor Joseph Budras, Professional Engineer (PE), with inclusion in Who’s Who in the World. An accomplished listee, Joseph Budras, PE, celebrates many years’ experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Over his decades-long Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) career, Mr. Budras has served in multiple roles in the agency’s headquarters and field offices. The FHWA is the federal agency responsible for the funding and oversight of the extensive highway network in the United States (U.S.). The importance of having a broad skill set for effective leadership increases as one moves higher in an organizational hierarchy. Mr. Budras has extensive knowledge of highway infrastructure. Since early in his career, Mr. Budras has managed federal surface transportation programs with an understanding of the needs of the traveling public. Well regarded for his contributions, Mr. Budras has received multiple awards. Among his career highlights was achieving a breakthrough innovation involving researchers, technology providers, and end users. Nonetheless, Mr. Budras is most proud of enhancing his employees’ career development and advancement.
As an adolescent, Mr. Budras wanted to overcome the adverse circumstances he had experienced from an early age. He was born into communism on an island located just 90 miles south of the Florida Keys. Mr. Budras was fortunate to immigrate with his parents and sister to the U.S. at the tender age of eight years (with only the clothes on their backs and no knowledge of English), thanks to the goodwill of the U.S. Government to the victims of communism. Shortly thereafter, they were relocated to Newark, New Jersey and assigned to live in a public housing project. While few would choose to bring up a family in those surroundings, Mr. Budras’ parents were grateful. However, as a boy living in an environment fraught with social problems and neighbors who felt they had not much to lose, Mr. Budras realized that education was the key to a better life for him.
As a young man, Mr. Budras wanted to give back to his adopted country. While attending the University of Miami, he joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps while pursuing a civil engineering degree. After graduation, Mr. Budras followed with three years of active duty in the U.S. Army, serving as an engineer officer in Ft. Benning, Georgia and reaching promotion to the rank of captain.
Upon leaving the Army, Mr. Budras opted for a career in highway engineering. His diligence led to an offer from the FHWA for entry into its coveted multi-year Highway Engineer Training Program (HETP), of which approximately only 30 professionals were selected nationwide. Shortly after completing the HETP, Mr. Budras was selected for full-time graduate studies. He graduated with a Master of Science in civil engineering from Purdue University. Mr. Budras has also earned several professional certifications. He attributes his success to his perseverance. Looking toward the future, Mr. Budras aspires to contribute to the betterment of society on a grander scale.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who’s Who titles, including Who’s Who in America®, Who’s Who in the World®, Who’s Who in American Law®, Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who’s Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who’s Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.