Neil Patterson Receives MDOT Chief Engineer's Award

(PHOTO) District 5 Engineer Neil Patterson honored with the MDOT Chief Engineer’s Award

Updated Thursday, April 23, 2026 3:26 PM

MDOT is proud to announce that District 5 Engineer Neil Patterson has been awarded the MDOT Chief Engineer’s Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership, dedication and service. MDOT’s District 5 encompasses 10 counties in central Mississippi, which includes the Jackson metro-area as well as Meridian.

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JACKSON, MISS. – Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is proud to announce that District 5 Engineer Neil Patterson has been awarded the MDOT Chief Engineer’s Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership, dedication and service. MDOT’s District 5 encompasses 10 counties in central Mississippi, which includes the Jackson metro-area as well as Meridian.

Patterson earned this distinction for his exceptional management during the recent ice storm that heavily impacted roadways in north Mississippi. In addition to these efforts, he has demonstrated continued excellence throughout his career to operational efficiency, team development and daily problem solving. His leadership has contributed to improved project delivery and strengthened safety practices throughout District 5.

“During the recent ice storm, Neil was instrumental by not only leading his district, but also by lending hands-on support to District 2 and District 3, which were heavily impacted by ice. Additionally, he and his team have led a remarkable turnaround in their road maintenance program by utilizing new, preventative maintenance programs to improve road conditions dramatically in a short period of time,” said MDOT Chief Engineer Earl Glenn. “Like my former supervisors have told me, if you see something good someone is doing, say something. That’s why I am awarding District 5 Engineer Neil Patterson with the 2026 Chief Engineer’s Award.”

After graduating from Mississippi State University in 1997 with a degree in civil engineering, Patterson began working in the MDOT Project Office in Carthage and rose through the ranks to become resident engineer of that office. He was later promoted to the District Headquarters in Newton as the District Construction Engineer. After several years in this role, he was named District 5 Engineer. In his role as District Engineer, he oversees both maintenance and construction projects as well as fiscal and personnel responsibilities for one of the largest districts in the state, which houses the Capital City and other executive branches of government.

MDOT’s Chief Engineer’s Award is presented to individuals who demonstrate exceptional performance, leadership and dedication to the department’s mission. To learn more, visit GoMDOT.com and like and follow @MississippiDOT on social media.

PHOTO CUTLINE:

Pictured left to right: MDOT Executive Director Brad White, District 5 Engineer Neil Patterson, MDOT Chief Engineer Earl Glenn.

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The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is responsible for providing a safe intermodal transportation network that is planned, designed, constructed and maintained in an effective, cost-efficient and environmentally sensitive manner. MDOT’s objective is to maximize taxpayer’s dollars by providing a safe, efficient multimodal network that enhances economic stability and growth. For more information, visit GoMDOT.com.

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