In March 2024, Carly Swanson was named the Director of Innovative Delivery at the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Turnpike Authority. She works with communities and local planning organizations to explore alternative delivery methods to help accelerate vital infrastructure projects in North Carolina.

Swanson previously led NCDOT’s Communications Office for three years, overseeing the department’s statewide public outreach, media relations, marketing and social media. During that time, Swanson received the AASHTO Committee on Transportation Communications’ Public Relations Professional of the Year Award.

Before working in transportation, Swanson was a television reporter and anchor for a statewide cable news station based in Raleigh. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from North Carolina State University.