Who's New

Janice Benton, design chief 

Janice Benton is the new Headquarters Design Division Chief. 

Janice earned her civil engineering degree from UC Davis in 1991 and started with the Department in 1993.  She has been the Deputy Division Chief in the Division of Design since May 2013.  Prior to Design, she worked in Traffic Operations for 16 years, mainly in the Office of Traffic Safety program, but also in the areas of traffic control devices and encroachment permits. 

In her early years, Janice worked in Central Design as well as District 3 Construction.  Janice also had interim assignments as the Deputy District Director in District 8 Traffic Operations and Deputy Division Chief of Structure Design in Division of Engineering Services.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Robert LaCalle and Dan Speer, engineering services

Roberto Lacalle was appointed the Division of Engineering Services (DES) Deputy Division Chief for Geotechnical Services and Dan Speer was appointed the Deputy Division Chief for Materials Engineering and Testing Services (METS). Both started their new positions Dec. 11.

Roberto began his Caltrans career as a junior civil engineer in Structure Construction in Los Angeles after he graduated from California State University, Chico, in 1984. After rotating positions in Structure Design and Geology, he returned to Structure Construction in Districts 3 and 10 as a structure representative and resident engineer. Since then, Roberto held positions such as; Structure Maintenance Engineer, Transit Structures Designer, Joint Seals & Bearings Senior Specialist, Special Designs Branch Chief, AASHTO Coordinator, Design and Technical Services Office Chief, Project Delivery Office Chief, and acting METS/ Geotechnical Services Deputy Division Chief. Most recently, Roberto was the Structure Quality Management Office Chief, where he managed the California Bridges and Structures Strategic Direction, implementation of the International Organization for Standardization quality management system, specification research and development, Structures Independent Quality Assurance and risk management. In his new assignment, Roberto will be responsible for directing all the activities of the Geotechnical Services subdivision, including geotechnical investigations, foundation testing services, and geotechnical policy and technical guidance.

Dan Speer has more than 33 years of experience at Caltrans and most recently served as the acting DES Deputy for METS and Geotechnical Services. Before this, Dan served within DES-Structure Policy and Innovation. Dan has worked most of his career in progressively responsible positions in Geotechnical Services and as Chief of METS-Office of Structural Materials. He also worked in Structures Design and Construction. Throughout his career, Dan has developed teams that deliver quickly and continually improve. In Dan’s new assignment, he will be responsible for the operation of the Caltrans Central Laboratory, the Caltrans Independent Assurance Program, the Joint Training and Certification Program, source inspection, materials engineering services, new-products evaluation, and more.

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Ashley McGuckin, human resources assistant division chief

Ashley McGuckin is the new Assistant Division Chief in the Division of Human Resources (DHR), managing the Office of Examinations and Executive Selection, and the Recruitment, Workforce Planning, and Employee Recognition Program. Ashley will lead these s Caltrans prepares to increase staffing levels in response to increased funding in Senate Bill 1. Ashley recently demonstrated her ability to find and hire talent by spearheading a series of Caltrans career fairs - which drew in more than 5,000 prospective job seekers and resulted in a significant increase to the department’s eligibility lists.

Ashley brings more than a decade of diverse experience to this position. After earning her bachelor’s degree in public relations and marketing from California State University, Sacramento, she began her career as an analyst at the Caltrans Office of Classification and Hiring Services in 2007. In this role, she demonstrated technical proficiency and a dedication to customer service, and was later promoted to branch chief in 2010. She continued to broaden her knowledge base by accepting rotational assignments to the Office of Examination and Recruitment Services, and others. Most recently, Ashley served as the HR Chief Operations Officer, managing the department’s Workforce Planning, Employee Recognition.

Ashley is involved in many of the department’s strategic planning initiatives. She is leading an effort to streamline the department’s Managerial Selection Program. Her technical proficiency and awareness of civil service laws and rules, partnered with her creativity and dedication to customer service and fostering positive relationships within the department, is uniquely fitting for this challenging position.

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Jeff Rowe, business operations assistant division chief 

Jeff Rowe is the new Assistant Division Chief of the Division of Business Operations. Jeff comes from the State Controller’s Office, where he managed the Business Services Office. Jeff has worked for the state for more than 20 years, including 12 years in contracts and procurement and nine years in facility and leasing management. Jeff earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the California State University, Bakersfield, and a master’s degree in public administration from California State University, Stanislaus. 

Jeff’s areas of responsibility will include the Statewide Office Facilities, which oversees and manages the Office of Sacramento Facility Operations and the Office of Statewide Facility and Project Support. He also has oversight of the Office Facility budget and Long Range Office Facilities planning, including the annual Facility Infrastructure Plan.

Jeff takes the place of Lance Hibben, who will retire on December 29th.

 

 

 

 

 

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Keith Steiner, examinations and executive selections office chief

Keith Steiner is the new Human Resources Examinations and Executive Selections Office Chief.

Keith brings seven years of diverse human resources background to the position. He started his career at the Bureau of Automotive Repair as an office technician in 2008. Keith began working with Caltrans in 2011 as a personnel specialist in Transactions Services, before promoting to an analyst position in Classification and Hiring Services. Keith continued to broaden his knowledge by accepting a rotational assignment to Examination Services and most recently promoting to Branch Chief over the Division of Human Resources’ Organizational Management Branch. While in the latter position, Keith made major contributions in the development of the future electronic hiring system, and the modernization of the Department's job-related webpages. Keith has demonstrated a commitment to developing collaborative partnerships internally and externally. He also looks for ways to support Caltrans hiring needs while remaining in compliance with civil service laws and regulations.

Keith is a graduate of California State University, Sacramento, with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice.

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Andrea Vine, safety and management services assistant division chief

Andrea Vine started as the new Assistant Division Chief of the Division of Safety and Management Services in November. Andrea is responsible for the Office of Discipline Services (ODS), Office of Labor Relations (OLR), and Office of Driver Certification and Substance Testing. She brings her knowledge and experience of building high-performing teams to the position, most recently serving as the Office of Driver Certification and Substance Testing Chief. She started her 16-year career in state service at Caltrans in August, 2001. She spent those years in the Division of Safety and Management Services, creating efficiencies with processes in the Office of Driver Certification and Substance Testing. While in the Division of Safety and Management Services, she assisted ODS in keeping Lean 6 Sigma efficiencies, and the OLR to support managers and supervisors. She also acted as the Assistant Division Chief. Andrea has been involved in ensuring managers and supervisors continue to get training and have the necessary tools, resources and current practices of the programs.

 

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Jeanie Ward-Waller, sustainability program manager

Jeanie Ward-Waller started as Caltrans Sustainability Program Manager on Sept. 25. Jeanie will work with external partners and all divisions and districts to continue to develop the Caltrans Sustainability Program.

Jeanie is well known as an effective advocate for active transportation, health, and equity in California. She is the former policy director of the California Bicycle Coalition and the former senior California policy manager for the Safe Routes to School National Partnership. Before moving to California, Jeanie was a licensed structural engineer in Massachusetts. Her blend of training, skills and experience makes her a great fit at Caltrans.

At CalBike, Jeanie built successful coalitions with public and private partners to advocate for lower-income populations, public health, and better climate policies. She led efforts to increase funding for bikeways and sustainable modes of travel, prioritizing low-income households and bicyclists’ rights.

At the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, Jeanie coordinated outreach, technical assistance, and resources for the organization’s partners and disadvantaged communities to access active transportation funding. For her efforts, in 2015 Jeanie earned a “Streetsie” Award for Tireless Statewide Advocacy from Streetsblog California, which noted that Jeanie “embodies the kind of knowledgeable advocacy that we need, and benefit from, in Sacramento.”

Jeanie has served on many Caltrans advisory committees, including the Department’s Asset Management Stakeholder Committee, the Division of Research, Innovation and System Information Bike and Pedestrian Research Roadmap Advisory Committee, Strategic Management Plan Goal Teams, Bicycle Advisory Committee and Transportation Analysis Guide Technical Advisory Committee. Jeanie earned a Master of Philosophy degree in Engineering for Sustainable Development at the University of Cambridge, where she completed a dissertation on overcoming barriers to sustainable transportation in American cities. She received a Masters of Engineering degree in civil engineering with a focus in high-performance structures at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering at Brown University. Jeanie is a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design accredited professional.