D. Ray Varney, P.E, of Salem has accepted the position of resident engineer for the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) Salem Residency Office, according to an announcement Monday by VDOT.

Varney will serve as VDOT’s top transportation official for Botetourt, Roanoke and Craig Counties by overseeing road maintenance and operations, land development programs, budgets and business operations. He also will be the primary human resources manager for approximately 130 VDOT employees.

Varney replaces the retired Dan Collins of Troutville, who served as resident engineer for 11 years. Collins is now working part-time as county administrator for Craig County.

“I welcome the opportunity to build strong working relationships with local governments and citizens to meet their transportation needs,” said Varney about his new position.

Varney began his career with VDOT in 1999 and has held several positions including transportation engineer in the location and design office and assistant resident engineer in VDOT’s Salem Residency and Ashland Residency offices. He was promoted in 2004 to resident engineer in the Petersburg Residency Office. Since 2011, he has been the district infrastructure manager for the Salem District.

Before working at VDOT, Varney was a consulting engineer for 14 years and served as vice president for land development at Anderson & Associates.  Varney worked on several Virginia Tech projects including the Lane Stadium parking lot improvements and the women’s fast pitch softball field.

Varney received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Virginia Tech where he taught as an adjunct professor and received the American Society of Civil Engineer’s teaching award for practicing engineers.  He is a licensed professional engineer and land surveyor in Virginia.

“Ray has a great combination of technical knowledge and extensive experience in residency operations that will serve us well,” said Salem District Engineer Ken King.