The Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority welcomed a new project manager, Stephen Ward, during its meeting on July 11, 2025. Ward, a seasoned military officer with 37 years of experience, expressed his enthusiasm for joining the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and his interest in tunnel projects.

In his introduction, Ward detailed his extensive background with the Army Corps of Engineers, where he managed significant construction projects both domestically and internationally. His career highlights include overseeing large-scale military construction at Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base, as well as leading a district in Iraq responsible for $665 million worth of projects.

Ward's experience also includes a notable tenure at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, where he managed engineering and construction projects, and later, he served as the Chief Financial Officer for the state of Michigan's Army and Air National Guard. His recent role involved modernizing armories to promote female inclusion within the military.

The meeting, which began with the approval of the agenda and previous minutes, set the stage for Ward's introduction, marking a significant step forward for the authority as it embarks on future construction initiatives. The authority looks forward to leveraging Ward's expertise to advance its projects in the region.