An Austin native recently took on the role of overseeing the roads in southwest and south-central Minnesota.

Jed Falgren of Mankato was recently named assistant district engineer for District 7 maintenance operations of the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

District 7 includes 13 counties in south central and southwestern Minnesota with offices in Mankato and Windom.

Falgren was appointed Dec. 10, and he replaces Acting ADE Thomas Zimmerman, who resumed his role as District 7 superintendent.

Falgren and his staff of approximately 170 are responsible for the maintenance of more than 1,300 miles of state and federal highways, 448 bridges and 10 rest areas.

Highway maintenance workers are located strategically throughout the district in 20 truck stations to provide snow and ice control and maintain the state transportation system.

Falgren previously worked for MnDOT District 7 from 1989 to 1995 in various engineering roles. More recently he was president of the Casting Edge LLC consulting in strategic planning, operations improvement and leadership. Falgren worked for 14 years at Dotson Iron Castings in Mankato.

A native of Austin, Falgren holds a Bachelor of Science in transportation engineering from North Dakota State University. Married to Lisa Falgren, he has three daughters and a son.

The district’s website is www.dot.state.mn.us/d7/.