LUBBOCK, TX – A Floydada High School graduate is making history within the Texas Department of Transportation.
Kylan Francis (Sanders), a member of the Floydada High School Class of 2000, has been named the new Lubbock District Engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Her appointment marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first woman to serve in the role in the history of the Lubbock District.
Francis has spent two decades building a career with TxDOT, serving in a variety of leadership positions and helping oversee major transportation projects across the South Plains. Her selection as district engineer places her in charge of roadway maintenance, construction developments, and transportation initiatives across the district’s 17-county region.
The following press release was issued by the Texas Department of Transportation and is published below in its entirety:
Kylan Francis named Lubbock District Engineer
New appointment marks historic milestone in district leadership
June 1, 2026
LUBBOCK DISTRICT – Kylan Francis, P.E., has been selected as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Lubbock District Engineer. Francis is the twelfth engineer—and the first woman—appointed as Lubbock District Engineer, marking a historic milestone in the district’s leadership.
Francis began her TxDOT career in 2005 working as a summer hire for the Plainview Area Office. A student at Texas Tech University at the time, she went on to graduate the same year with degrees in Civil Engineering and Architecture. She began her full-time career in 2006 and earned her Professional Engineer license in May 2011.
Throughout her 20-year career, Francis has held a wide-range of leadership roles, including Director of Transportation, Planning and Development (TP&D) and Deputy District Engineer, giving her a well-rounded perspective and broad understanding of department operations.
In her role as TP&D she oversaw the project planning and programming for the district’s 17 counties, and worked with local municipalities and the Lubbock Metropolitan Planning Organization to identify, plan and schedule transportation system improvement projects including the Loop 88 corridor.
Francis spearheaded the Loop 88 efforts—the district’s largest undertaking since the development and construction of the Marsha Sharp Freeway (US 62/82). Extending more than 36 miles across southwestern Lubbock County, Francis led the charge to attain approval of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) environmental documents for the Loop 88 corridor. Divided into four segments, three environmental documents and what will be multiple construction projects, the endeavor is building a new freeway facility. Construction on the first project was completed this April.
In 2025, she was promoted to the Lubbock Deputy District Engineer where she oversaw the district’s four area engineers as well as coordinating and promoting career development and succession planning for the district.
Francis will direct roadway maintenance, construction developments and transportation initiatives for the South Plains area. She assumed her new role June 1.
For more information contact Public Information Officer Dianah Coronado at (806) 748-4472.
For Floydada residents, Francis’ appointment serves as a source of hometown pride and highlights the accomplishments of a graduate who has risen through the ranks of one of Texas’ most important state agencies. Her historic selection reflects both professional achievement and the growing role of women in transportation leadership across the state.
