Who's New
Christopher Andriessen, chief PIO for District 9
Christopher Andriessen
Christopher Andriessen has been promoted to District 9 chief public information officer.
Christopher has worked for Caltrans District 9 as a public information officer since the summer of 2019. Before Caltrans, he worked two and a half years as an office technician with the California Department of Insurance in San Francisco.
He has experience in a variety of fields, including local television news, videography, photography, writing for the general public, and web publishing, all skills that would come to aid him in the Public Information Office.
Christopher has a bachelor of the arts degree from Humboldt State University (Now Cal Poly Humboldt).
He is a Seahawks fan while everyone else in his family roots for the 49ers. He lives in Bishop, and likes to spend his free time doing nature photography, going to the Bishop Twin Theater when there is something decent playing, reading classic literature, beating his nephew in Mario Kart, getting sushi at Gojira Ramen & Sushi, and listening to his record collection.
Rick Brewer, media manager in Headquarters Public Affairs
Rick Brewer
Rick Brewer joins the headquarters Public Affairs team as media manager after spending the past year and a half the District 10 Public Affairs staff.
Rick’s first foray into communications began as a reporter and anchor at a TV station in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He later worked at stations in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Bakersfield, before spending 15 years writing news and sports for his hometown newspaper, the Stockton Record.
Prior to joining Caltrans in 2022, Rick began an organizational communications career by providing leadership to a local school district, community college, and the Oregon Secretary of State’s office.
Rick just celebrated 30 years of marriage to his wife, Kathy, and is the proud father of Jessica (23), and Joshua (18).
He enjoys cruises, Texas Hold-em, roller coasters, medium-rare steaks, chili verde, and red wine. Not necessarily in that order.
Jeff Burdick, Clean California education campaign manager
Jeff Burdick
Jeff Burdick has rejoined the department as the new Clean California education campaign manager.
This is Jeff’s second stint with Caltrans following three years as a political journalist and a manager at the California Department of State Hospitals.
Originally from Chicago, he has also worked in communications for the Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago-based electric utility ComEd, and as a reporter with a number of newspapers and magazines.
Jeff lives in Sacramento with his 10-year-old son and enjoys bike commuting to work several days a week.
Travis Fruci, television specialist on Headquarters audiovisual team
Travis Fruci
Travis Fruci has joined the Headquarters audiovisual team as a television specialist.
Travis comes to us following several years as a content producer for the marketing department of ABC10 Television in Sacramento.
Before getting into video production, Travis spent several years working in visual effects and has worked on several major motion pictures.
Travis is a self-proclaimed nerd and enjoys movie trivia, boardgames and occasionally baking.
Kelli Huffman, deputy division chief for Legal Administration
Kelli Huffman is the new deputy division chief for Legal Administration.
Kelli began her career with the Office of the Attorney General in 1993 as an office assistant. She joined Caltrans in January 2001 as a budget coordinator for the Division of Program / Project Management.
When Budgets and Personnel functions were centralized into the Division of Administration, Kelli took on a wide variety of assignments and volunteered for special projects that eventually led her to the role of District 3 / North Region budget manager.
Next, she was promoted to Staff Services Manager II, as the District 3 / NR Resource Manager with the responsibility of Personnel and Budgets for all of North Region.
Kelli also held the position of deputy district director for administration in District 2, office chief for the NR Capital Outlay Support Office and, most recently, office chief of District 3 Business Management.
Kelli resides in Yuba City and enjoys spending time with her two children, Joshua and Megan, along with her grandson, Nolan. She is excited to welcome her new granddaughter in January 2024!
This is a new position as part of the Legal Division’s reorganization. Kelli will oversee the Administrative functions of the Legal Division.
Daniel Rubinstein, chief of staff in Division of Safety Programs
Daniel Rubenstein
Daniel Rubinstein is the new chief of staff in the Division of Safety Programs.
Daniel most recently served as the executive manager in the Director’s Office. He led the Executive Management Team in staffing the director, chief deputy director, the director’s chief of staff, and the executive Board.
He oversaw the strategic and day-to-day management of the Director’s Office Tracking System, planned internal events such as the Director’s Town Halls and the monthly Executive Board meetings, coordinated external affairs with the Public Affairs Office, advised on various developments, undertook special projects, and more.
Previously, Daniel was an acting manager and analyst in the Director’s Office at the Department of Managed Health Care and an analyst in the Office of the Secretary of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency. He was a legislative intern in the State Assembly and a student assistant at the Secretary of State’s.
Daniel graduated summa cum laude from Sacramento State with a bachelor’s in political science with focuses in democratic erosion studies, Eastern European political history, and California politics and government.
Daniel is a native Sacramentan and a first-generation American of Ukrainian descent. He can be found at the gym or a café in his free time.
Teala Schaff, media manager in Headquarters Public Affairs
Teala Schaff
Teala Schaff joins Caltrans Public Affairs as Media Manager.
Teala brings a proactive approach to crafting strategic communication plans, public outreach, driving public affairs initiatives, and executing impactful marketing strategies with more than 20 years of experience in the public and private arenas. Her experience spans diverse sectors such as public policy, environment, technology, and government. She excels in developing engaging content and spearheading advocacy campaigns that resonate with multiple stakeholders.
She comes from the State Legislature where she served as a communications director for three senators and one assembly member. She has additionally served for two years in the external affairs division at the Department of Technology. She has a proven track record of nurturing relationships with government officials, community leaders, and media outlets, ensuring effective representation of organizational interests.
Armed with a bachelor’s in Communication Studies & Philosophy from California State University, Sacramento, she brings a blend of media relations, stakeholder engagement finesse, and a history of driving impactful communication initiatives across diverse landscapes to the Department of Transportation.