Schaftlein, Shari M
Director, Office of Human Environment
Shari M. Schaftlein is the Director of Office of Human Environment, within the Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty. In this position she supervises a staff of 20 in advancing the human environment throughout FHWA and with FHWA partners and customers; develops, markets, and implements research in planning, environment, and realty; and implements human environment and related programs through effective program management and administration, and project solicitation, selection, and funding. The Office advances community improvements by addressing issues related to bicycle and pedestrians, environmental justice and nondiscrimination, economic development, livability/smart growth/land use and context sensitive solutions. The Office is responsible for implementing the Transportation Alternatives Program. In addition the Office develops policies and administers procedures and standards for modification of the National Highway System and the Strategic Highway Network.
Prior to this position Shari served for 8 years as the FHWA Team Lead for Program/Policy Development in FHWA's Project Development and Environmental Review Office. She has been a long time champion of developing and promoting environmental streamlining and environmental stewardship program activities. Responsibilities have included oversight of the AASHTO Center for Environmental Excellence, Federal Agency Coordination and expanding the use of Liaison Positions and Programmatic Agreements, improving Environmental Conflict Resolution competencies, and advancing principals of Context Sensitive Solutions and Green Highways.
Shari has been very active in the Transportation Research Community. She served as the FHWA representative on the NCHRP 25-25 Panel on quick turn-around environmental research. Shari has been a long term Member of the TRB ADC10 Environmental Analysis Committee. Her achievements have been profiled in the TRB's TR News.
For 11 years prior to FHWA, she was with Washington State DOT's Environmental Office, where she held the positions of Water Quality Program Manager, Streamlining Initiatives Manager, and Deputy Director. She has also held environmental management positions with the West Michigan Environmental Action Council in Grand Rapids Michigan, and, the Quileute Tribe in La Push, WA. She obtained a BS and MS in Environmental Science at Indiana University.
Shari was a two sport college athlete competing in Field Hockey and Softball. After her knees wore out from mountain climbing and biking, and soccer?she resorted to the less pounding activities of reading, gardening, and swimming. Shari is a native of Louisville, KY. After an epic house remodeling effort she now resides with her husband, comfortably, in Alexandria, VA.
