Bush has a proven track record of developing policies and procedures to ensure efficient and safe operations, and she brings a unique perspective on analyzing plans, specifications and design standards. Her technical expertise includes designing and analyzing bridges and other structures, preparing contract plans and specifications, and managing large programs. Early in her career at the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), Bush designed the state’s first high-performance, weathering steel bridge. Most recently, Bush developed comprehensive maintenance programs and budgets for NDOT, demonstrating her knowledge in emergency management as she ensured that disaster damage mitigation funds spent by the transportation agency were federally reimbursable. She has reviewed, scoped and budgeted hundreds of maintenance projects to mitigate durability, safety, drainage and accessibility design issues on routes owned by NDOT. Additionally, Bush oversaw the planning, inspection, maintenance, new construction, alterations and additions to NDOT-owned facilities, while placing an emphasis on improvements to maintenance stations, fueling systems, rest areas and work to address environmental and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues.
We are excited to have Anita’s leadership and skill to complement our growing western market!
Karen Counes
CDM Smith Vice President and Program Management Practice Leader
Bush has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno. Bush has dedicated her career to improving the transportation industry through various professional organizations. She currently serves as the AKR00 Highway Maintenance Section Chair for the National Academies Science Transportation Research Board, is a member of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) 25-07 Synthesis Program Selection Panel and Chairs the panel for NCHRP Project 23-47. Prior to her retirement from NDOT, Bush served as a Vice Chair for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Committee on Maintenance, a member and former co-chair of the Federal Highway Administration Pavement Preservation Expert Task Group, and a member of the University of Nevada, Reno Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Advisory Board.
“We are thrilled to welcome Anita Bush to the CDM Smith team! Anita’s experience in operations, program and construction management and engineering, along with her long-time presence in industry organizations like AASHTO will help the Program Services team support the growing transportation, facilities and utilities markets in the western United States,” said CDM Smith vice president and program management practice leader, Karen Counes.
Bush is passionate about, “building safe, long lasting, environmentally friendly, equitable transportation infrastructure, and its management and maintenance.” Upon joining CDM Smith, Bush expressed how she is, “fortunate and grateful to be in a profession that truly serves and impacts the world we live in. These assets and facilities provide essential services that greatly influence the quality of our lives.”

