We are proud to share that Leonor Ayala has been selected as the recipient of the statewide Professional Engineers in California Government (PECG) Outreach Award in recognition of her exceptional leadership, dedication, and service to the Outreach Program. As the Outreach Committee Chair for the PECG Fresno Section, Leonor has gone above and beyond in advancing Caltrans’ mission by fostering meaningful connections with students, educators, professionals, and community members across California. Her passion for public service and engineering has inspired many and strengthened the visibility of both Caltrans and PECG statewide..
For Senior Landscape Architect Kathleen Hamer, who created the design for the U.S. 101 Lankershim to Beaudry Beautification project with Design team members Keith Sellers and Mark Perez, the culmination of the Clean California project in 2025 held a special significance. From its inception, the U.S. 101 beautification project was both a challenge and a dream.
For the past five years Caltrans has participated in Coastal Cleanup Day, the nation’s largest annual volunteer event to remove litter from beaches, rivers, creeks, bays and wetlands. On September 20, 2025, Caltrans employees and community members came together for a massive cleanup of Steelhead Creek in Sacramento, which flows into the American River. Fifty-three volunteers came together to collect roughly 57,000 pounds of debris -- about 45,000 pounds of trash and another 12,000 to 15,000 pounds of metal .
Caltrans’ Division of Equipment’s commitment to fleet modernization is more than just acquiring new vehicles. It's about becoming the greenest government fleet in the nation. As of fall 2025, Caltrans has 1,227 electric vehicles (EVs) in its fleet, consisting primarily of Teslas, Volkswagen ID.4s, Chevy Silverados, Chevy Bolts and a variety of heavy-duty fleet vehicles.
Caltrans’ Division of Maintenance continues to be a leader in advancing sustainable pavement solutions with the growing adoption of Cold Central Plant Recycling (CCPR). In partnership with industry experts and academic researchers through the Pavement and Materials Partnering Committee (PMPC), Caltrans has worked to create clear, consistent guidelines for cold recycling — a method of reusing old pavement materials without applying heat.
District 6 recognizes the valuable role its Transportation Engineers (TE) play in delivering safe and innovative solutions for California’s transportation systems. To enhance their skills and ensure organizational excellence, District 6 has launched the Transportation Engineer (TE) Academy. The TE Academy is specifically designed for newly hired engineers, providing them with essential knowledge and tools to excel in their roles.
The deadline to enter the 2026 Caltrans Safety Poster Contest is 5 p.m., February 27. It is open to all children and family members of Caltrans employees. This includes stepchildren, nieces, and nephews who are 17 years of age or under at the time of the contest deadline. The contest has four divisions: age 6 and younger, ages 7 through 10, ages 11 through 13, and ages 14 through 17. The theme is “Traffic Safety Begins Behind the Wheel.”
Nikki Tiongco, District 11’s South County Trade Corridor director, was featured in San Diego Magazine’s 50 People to Watch in San Diego, 2026. “The San Ysidro Port of Entry is the one of the busiest border crossings in the world—a massive economic and cultural driver for San Diego. But it’s also a pain, with hours-long waits. Nikki Tiongco’s working on solutions. Caltrans may be a state agency, but Tiongco plays a critical role for two countries, serving as the point person for big projects at the border.”
Cory Binns is the new chief deputy director of the California Department of Transportation. Cory is well known throughout the Caltrans family, having served as both the deputy director of Maintenance and Operations and the District 11 director. He brings extensive leadership experience and a deep understanding of the transportation infrastructure, having most recently served as a retired annuitant director of construction and engineering at the San Diego Association of Governments.
Cassandra Schmitz is the new chief of staff to the deputy director of Administration. Cassandra brings a strong understanding of the Administration program, having served in multiple roles at Caltrans, most recently as a Staff Services Manager I, Organizational Excellence Specialist. In that role, she led enterprise-level governance efforts, coordinated cross-functional priorities across all Administration divisions, and supported executive leadership through strategic planning, communication, and organizational improvement initiatives.
Matt Smith is the new Broadband Facilities Program coordinator in the Headquarters Division of Design. Matt Smith holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Humboldt State University (CalPoly). As a student, he worked for the Department of Water Resources performing stream gauge monitoring along the North Coast. He began his Caltrans career in 2008 with the District 1 Office of Advance Planning.
On Jan. 4, retired Maintenance worker Richard Wayne Gold passed away peacefully at the age of 81 at his home in Ione. Rich was born on Sept. 9, 1944, in Manteca, California to Thomas Jefferson and Lottie Agnes Gold. Growing up in the Acampo area, he held a deep respect for his father and a soft spot for his mother. He also enjoyed playing marbles with his brothers and always lent a helping hand to his sister, especially when it came to washing out the oatmeal pot.
Retired civil engineer Judy Eileen McCullough, 63, died late last year. Her family moved frequently between Rocky Mountain states during her early childhood. They stayed in Macdoel, California, from 1968 until settling for good in Sonora, California, in 1974. Judy finished elementary school and high school in Sonora. Judy took classes at Columbia Junior College, Modesto Junior College and Fresno State before settling at San Jose State, where she completed her bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering.
Retired Caltrans engineer Lloyd “Skeeter” Aubrey McMurry finally decided to rest on Dec. 13, 2025, at the age of 83 – something he spent a lifetime avoiding. Born on Sept. 3, 1942, in Bishop, California, he was affectionately known as “Skeeter,” a nickname that perfectly captured his boundless energy, untamable nature, and mischievous attitude, all of which evolved into an adventurous spirit deeply rooted in the outdoors.
Only 20 miles in length, and a frequently congested 20 miles at that, State Route 68 serves an important role in connecting agricultural California with the state's glorious Central Coast. Ride along with CT News as we venture from U.S. Highway 101 in Salinas all the way to the gateway to Julia Morgan's Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove.
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