The role of a Caltrans homeless encampment manager is one of importance but often goes underappreciated and unnoticed. This position is responsible for coordinating with outreach teams, contractors and local governments to execute a standardized response plan for unsheltered people living along state highways or on state property. The response includes providing advance notice to those living on state property before removing their items, offering outreach and shelter referrals, overseeing removal, and ensuring personal property is tagged and stored properly.
This past March, Caltrans was joined by dignitaries from Tulare County and the city of Visalia to celebrate the start of construction for the State Route 216 Lovers Lane Rehab Project. The $44.9 million project aims to provide operational improvements at the State Route 198/Lovers Lane interchange, rehabilitation of roadway pavement, construction of new non-motorized transportation facilities, upgrading existing facilities to current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, remove and upgrade existing streetlights and upgrades to traffic signals.
Fadi Al Banna was recently named District 10’s Maintenance Engineering Employee of the Year. The recognition came just weeks after Fadi left District 10 for a position at Caltrans Headquarters in Sacramento, another rung up the ladder for an amazing person who has served as a gleaming example of employee excellence. Fadi’s path to success has been anything but ordinary. He overcame extraordinary adversity, including escaping the grip of the terrorist organization ISIS, and courageously rebuilt his life in the United States.
On Sept. 16, the Redding Caltrans Maintenance Yard hosted a unique training opportunity led by AmeriGas Propane Transport International (PTI). The training was designed to help local first responders prepare for emergencies involving propane trailers. The day began with a classroom session, followed by hands-on instruction using a specialized propane trailer brought in from Houston by AmeriGas PTI.
The Henry and Carol Zeiter Navigation Center soon will provide shelter and services to families experiencing homelessness in the city of Stockton.
On Sept. 17, the navigation center celebrated its pending opening with an open house where local officials and representatives from numerous agencies gathered to tour the three-story facility that will accommodate 17 families, a fast-growing segment of the homeless population.
On a bustling stretch of rural Tehama County, a small but significant intersection is getting a big safety upgrade. The junction of State Route 99 and South Avenue, also known as County Road A9, has long been a cause for concern among both motorists and safety officials. Now, Caltrans District 2 is stepping in with a major construction project aimed at saving lives and easing traffic flow.
Jessica Santos works in District 2 System Planning as a transportation planner. She just hit her year mark and is happy to have completed her probation period. Jessica drives to Quincy once a month to attend the Plumas Transportation Commission meetings, where she reviews Project Initiation Documents (PIDs), assists Advance Planning staff in development of Transportation Planning Project Information Sheets (TPSIS), and helps with the development of system planning documents such as comprehensive multimodal corridor plans (CMCPs) along with other corridor studies.
Brenda Powell-Jones, a senior environmental planner, has devoted over 15 years to raising and fostering Labrador retrievers — pouring her heart into dogs that were never meant to be hers. Through California Labrador Retriever Rescue and Canine Companions, Brenda has fostered 10 Labs and trained two service dogs. “I spend a lot of time with these dogs, and (letting go) is hard,” Brenda said.
It’s no fun when a nagging financial problem threatens your precious peace of mind. Money troubles can generate substantial stress and anxiety. Although everyone’s situation is different, there are some generally accepted ways of improving your financial health. This article offers some tips on how to cope.
Rene Fletcher is the new division chief of Right of Way and Land Surveys. Rene brings a wealth of experience to this role, with 35 years of distinguished state service, including 31 years as a right of way professional. Over the past year, she has served as the acting division chief for Right of Way and Land Surveys within Project Delivery, where she led the division in implementing the new Airspace Program Guidelines in collaboration with the Governor’s Office and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
Cecilia Gutierrez is the new chief executive liaison in the Director’s Office at Caltrans Headquarters. Cecilia serves as a key coordinator and adviser, ensuring the effective planning, execution and follow-through of meetings, communications and high-level engagements involving the director of Caltrans. She interfaces with internal and external stakeholders to support the director’s priorities and initiatives.
Kelli Hutnick is the new chief of staff for the Maintenance and Operations Program. Kelli has 11 years of state service and has worked for various departments including Fish and Wildlife, CalPERS, and Social Services. Kelli most recently worked for the Division of Risk and Strategic Management within Caltrans where served for three and a half years. In DORSM she provided support to the Caltrans Strategic Plan development, tracking, and monitoring; the Statewide Leadership Summit; Strategic Action Planning; and Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) reporting.
Claudia Juarez is the new District 6 deputy director of Administration, following the retirement of Bill Etherton. Claudia began her career with District 6 in 2001 as an office technician in Maintenance. She went on to support the Central Region Project Development Support team for two years, followed by seven years as a budget analyst with Central Region PPM.
Sujaya Kalainesan is the new division chief of Project Management. Sujaya brings over 15 years of diverse experience across both Caltrans Headquarters and district operations. Most recently, she served as the acting division chief for the Division of Project Management at Headquarters, where she led the statewide Project Management and Capital Outlay Support programs.
District 2 employee Royce Clayton Hiner, 39, of Red Bluff died on Sept. 10, in the arms of his loving wife, surrounded by family, friends and classic country music after a hard-fought health battle over the last year. Royce graduated from Los Molinos High School in 2005, Butte College’s Welding Program in 2010 and had a long career with Caltrans in which he was celebrated for his dedication and awarded the California Medal of Valor in 2021 for an act of extreme heroism.
Retired Maintenance employee Doug Mitchell died on Aug. 14 at the age of 81. As a young teen, Doug migrated from his birthplace of Portsmouth, Virginia, to San Diego County. In his early twenties, he began a long career with Caltrans, District 11. Doug became a resident of Atascadero in 1990 when he accepted a job in District 5 as the Maintenance Superintendent at Caltrans in Templeton.
To help celebrate and promote National Drive Electric Month (Sept. 12-Oct. 12), a nationwide celebration to raise awareness of the many benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles and more, Caltrans displayed some of its e-fleet on Oct. 1 near the Capitol's west steps. (Headquarters photos by John Milne and Scott Lorenzo)
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