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Director’s Corner

Make your voice heard with strategic-plan survey

Greetings everyone. I hope you are settling into 2024 and, like me, are looking forward to all the important and rewarding work we will accomplish this year. Today I would like to touch briefly on three of our department’s current hot topics.

As you might already be aware, we are initiating an extensive effort to refresh our Strategic Plan for the next four years. The Strategic Plan serves as our shared roadmap, establishing our priorities and guiding our decision-making.

To ensure that it remains relevant and responsive to California’s evolving needs, Caltrans’ Executive Board is reviewing and amending the existing content in our Strategic Plan to simplify and align priorities.

Your voice and participation are critical to the success of this endeavor, and one helpful thing you can do is to take the 2024-2028 Caltrans Strategic Plan - Employee Survey.

Every February, we celebrate the incredible contributions made by the Black community in the United States as part of Black History Month.

Today, diversity and inclusion are fundamental Caltrans values, and we have made tremendous strides at the leadership level and throughout our organization. But as part of this month-long celebration, we also acknowledge the past inequities that the Black community has experienced and recommit ourselves to eliminating barriers and providing more equitable transportation throughout California.

The 2024 theme of Black History Month is “African Americans in the Arts.” Find links – many of them archived – to special activities related to this month’s events and other history and heritage celebrations on Caltrans’ Equal Employment Opportunity’s (EEO) website.

Finally, I turn to Caltrans’ top priority: the safety of employees and the traveling public.

Close to 4,000 people on average lose their life and nearly 14,000 are seriously injured every year while traveling on California’s public roads. That tragic reality fuels our Vision Zero goal of eliminating all fatalities and serious injuries by 2050. The concept of “shared responsibility” is central to the Safe System Approach, which is why I’m proud that divisions and districts around the state are working hard to create a safe transportation system for all.

Even in the face of challenging winter storms, Hurricane Hilary, and earthquakes, last year we maintained the safety of highway system users by repairing or replacing 63 miles of guardrail, 23 miles of safety barriers, 1,112,956 square feet of pavement markings, 337,686 pavement markers, 71,336 roadway signs, 101,398 roadside delineators, and restriping 26,637 linear miles of highway.

There is safety in those numbers – literally. Let’s all continue to do our part to make California’s transportation system safer for all.

P.S. Learn more about Caltrans’ strategies regarding safety by reading our first-ever Road Safety Action Plan (pdf).

News

By Rick Brewer
Media manager, HQ Public Affairs

Mark your calendars for the 2024 Caltrans Fallen Workers’ Memorial. It will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 25, on the west steps of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

This annual event honors the 191 men and women who have lost their lives serving Caltrans and the state of California.

This special remembrance is dedicated to their memories and to their family members left behind.

The 2024 Theme is “Everyday Heroes. Remembered Every Day.”

If you are unable to attend the ceremony in person, we highly encourage you to watch it on YouTube, where it will be streamed live. This special link will be provided closer to the event.

Also, please look for emails soon to order commemorative T-shirts, hoodies, and pins. The sale of these items provides us the opportunity to host this meaningful event each year.

By the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials
Arlington, VA

Donna Berry, Caltrans’ deputy director of Project Delivery and chief engineer, is among 10 women to be honored this spring by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) for their outstanding leadership and exemplary dedication to the transportation industry.

The 13th annual Women Who Move the Nation (CWWMN) Awards Breakfast will be held on April 10 at the Smithsonian Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. This highly anticipated event uplifts women across modes and sectors who have positively contributed to the transportation industry.

Attended by a sold-out audience of national leaders since its inception, the CWWMN Awards breakfast has become an annual highlight for the transportation industry.

In observance of Women's History Month, to date, COMTO has inducted 142 women into its Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation signature class of leaders in the transportation industry. The honorees encompass a diverse spectrum of multi-modal transportation, spanning both the public and private sectors. These women embody excellence – despite their various areas of influence and affiliations, the significance of their contributions to advance and fortify our nation's infrastructure is unparalleled.

2024 COMTO Women Who Move the Nation Honorees are:

• Donna Berry
• Monica Backmon, CEO, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority
• Veronica Davis, director, Transportation and Drainage Operations, City of Houston
• Public Works
• Dr. Shelley Francis, co-founder, managing partner, EVNoire
• loria Frank, chief of police, Port Authority New York, New Jersey
• Carmencita Mitchell, chair, Palm Tran Service Board, Palm Tran Service Board and Palm Beach State College
• Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips, administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration
• Yovannie Rodriguez, executive vice president, chief administrative officer, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority
• Charlotte Shaw, executive director/CEO, MAX Transit, Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority
• Janice R. Thomas, deputy executive director, external affairs, METRA

“We are thrilled to commemorate and acknowledge this year’s awardees for their diligent and unwavering dedication to the multi-modal transportation industry. These women bring a diverse set of skills and perspectives to the industry that helps to foster innovation, embrace inclusivity, and navigate the ever-changing landscape of our world with remarkable resilience and adaptability,” said Tanya Adams, chair, COMTO Board of Directors, and senior vice president, inclusion and diversity, WSP USA.

“Uplifting women in leadership roles propels the wheels of progress in the transportation industry,” said April Rai, COMTO president and CEO. “Recognizing their contributions is an intentional act of appreciation, inspiring the next generation of transportation leaders to emulate their strength, resilience, and perseverance. It is a privilege to honor these 10 women who embody these qualities and so much more.”

COMTO, founded in 1971, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing underrepresented groups in the transportation industry. With 39 chapters in the U.S. and Canada, COMTO's mission is to ensure opportunities and maximum participation in transportation for minorities, veterans, people with disabilities, and certified minority, women, or disadvantaged-owned businesses through leadership training, professional development, scholarship and internship funding, advocacy, partnership building and networking opportunities.

For more information, please visit www.comto.org.

Note: The following news release by distributed by District 7 on Jan. 16.

Caltrans and the Los Angeles County Central Library Children’s Division have partnered to give away free educational anti-litter “Clean California Activity/Coloring Books” for children with the objective of changing public behavior.

The engaging and picturesque coloring books were created in support of Governor Gavin Newsom’s Clean California initiative (cleancalifornia.dot.ca.gov/) to help kids see how trash impacts our environment. The books are now available at Los Angeles County’s 85 public libraries while supplies last. Parents are encouraged to visit their local public library to receive a free copy.

As of November 2023, Clean California removed over 89,297 cubic yards of litter in Los Angeles County alone. This educational component of the Clean California initiative aims for a cultural shift of community shared responsibility for the cleanliness of our roadways through litter prevention education campaigns that focus on properly throwing away trash and the impact littering has on natural resources, waterways, public safety and health.

The $2 billion Clean California initiative is a transformative initiative to remove litter, create jobs and beautify California. Part of the goals are to reduce the amount of waste and debris within public rights-of-way, pathways, parks, transit centers, and other public spaces. This is being accomplished through Dump Day events, beautification projects, Community Clean-ups, Adopt-A-Highway and much more.

Clean California is making significant investments in litter collection, community engagement and education to ultimately transform unsightly roadsides into spaces of pride for all Californians.

The Clean California program has created more than 4,000 jobs that have helped Californians overcome barriers to employment, including 357 people who had been experiencing homelessness, and drawn more than 10,000 volunteers to events ranging from community cleanups to large debris collections for appliances, tires, and mattresses. In October 2023, Governor Newsom announced another round of Clean California grants to cities and local agencies throughout the state to remove litter, beautify neighborhoods and transform public spaces into points of pride.

Hats Off

Note: The following email was written by Jigme Chhimi of Headquarters Information Technology and was shared with CT News on Jan. 31.

I am sharing an inspiring story of dedication and quick action from our team member, Jamal Karim, that significantly enhanced a customer's experience with Caltrans.

Recently, while attending my daughter's indoor soccer game late evening on the weekend, I casually talked with a fellow parent planning a trip to Kirkland for skiing. He relied on the Caltrans Road Information page for travel updates but needed help with bookmarking the page on his iPhone. Recognizing this as a potential hindrance for many of our users, especially in the current snowy conditions, I contacted Jamal Karim from our Mobile Web Apps team.

To our delight, Jamal identified and resolved the issue in an astonishingly short time – before the soccer game concluded. This swift response solved the immediate problem and significantly improved the overall user experience of our Caltrans Road Information page. https://roads.dot.ca.gov/

I want to take this opportunity to share the customer's message of gratitude:

“Big shout out for the upgrade to the Caltrans Road Information page. Being able to bookmark and get "one-touch" access to where or if chain controls are in place on the one specific road is a big time-saver for locals and regular snow country travelers. Not just that, but how quickly this upgrade was completed was extremely impressive. I'll try to get the word out for you (you should too)! Thanks again! – Nate Whaley”

This feedback underscores the value of our commitment to service excellence and the positive impact of our team's efforts on the community. Jamal's dedication, particularly his willingness to go above and beyond during a weekend, is commendable and sets a high standard for our team.

Thank you to Jamal for his outstanding work and to everyone for continuously striving to improve our services.

DOT Shots

A panoramic view of State Route 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) in Angeles National Forest in mid-January with the District 7 Maintenance Chilao Mountain crew snow plows on standby at Islip Saddle (post mile 64.1)

State Route 39 at post mile 32.75. Concrete retaining wall on slope etched and dyed to match environment. 

State Route 39 at post mile 31.27. Slope reconstructed and new drainage installed. 

State Route 39 at post mile 36.6. New retaining wall constructed. 

Health and Safety

Help protect young people’s mental health

By the Employee Assistance Program

The pandemic, violence at school and social media toxicity have had an impact on young people. It has affected their mental well-being.

Poor mental health can impact their school experience, their grades, decision-making, relationships and overall health and safety.

Youths are reporting a higher incidence of mental health problems than ever before. Warning signs to look for include:

• Sadness
• Hopelessness
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Excessive anger
• Avoiding people
• Difficulty concentrating
• Severe mood swings
• Prolonged negative mood and attitude.

Parents’ and caregivers’ awareness of the warning signs is crucial to reducing stigma, encouraging open conversations and finding care.

If you are concerned about a child’s mental wellbeing, contact your EAP or doctor for guidance.

Who’s New

Sam Amen, Director’s Office executive liaison

Sam Amen is the Director’s Office new executive liaison, as of Jan. 2.

Sam had been with District 11 for over 24 years and most recently served as the Caltrans District 11 design division chief, where he led the project delivery, made decisions on the feasibility, quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness of each project, and assessed its impacts on the state transportation system, the regional economy, and the environment.

Over his Caltrans career, Sam has held multiple assignments, including serving as District 11 division chief of engineering, traffic systems performance branch chief, district broadband program manager, connected and automated vehicle/new technology manager, Imperial Valley project manager, design branch chief, traffic operations project development branch chief, and various other lead roles in the district.

Some of Sam’s achievements include managing the delivery of several regional projects, including phases 2 and 3 of the State Route 111 (SR-111) Brawley Bypass projects in Imperial County, the widening of SR-76 east of Interstate 15 in San Diego County, and the relinquishment of approximately 13-miles of SR-86 in Imperial County.

Before joining Caltrans, Sam served four years of active duty in the U.S. Navy and six years working in the construction field with the Air Force and Navy Corps of Engineers.

As the executive liaison, Sam will serve as the lead staff member for all Executive Board logistical operations. In addition to any special projects on behalf of the Executive Board, the director, the chief deputy director, and chief of staff, Sam will work closely with District directors, Headquarters deputy directors, division chiefs, managers, and subject-matter experts on a variety of projects and assignments.

Sam holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Alexandria University in Egypt and a master of science in civil engineering from San Diego State University. Sam lives in San Diego with his wife, Rania, and three daughters, Sara, Hannah, and Abigail. He enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.

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Edward Barrera, Public Affairs division chief

Edward Barrera is the new division chief for Headquarters Public Affairs.

Prior to coming to Caltrans, Edward was a communications director at the California State Senate, where he oversaw all public relations and media strategy for a state senator as well as staffed legislative and policy areas, including transportation.

Before entering government service, he worked as a consultant and communications director for election campaigns and litigation communications as well as for a health care company.

He was a journalist for nearly 10 years in in the Greater Los Angeles area and New York.

 

 

 

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Christopher Caputo, deputy district director in District 4’s Division of Environmental Planning and Engineering

Christopher Caputo is the new deputy district director in District 4’s Division of Environmental Planning and Engineering.

In his new role, Christopher will be responsible for the implementation and facilitation of all phases of environmental analyses necessary for delivery of Caltrans’ transportation and non-transportation projects across the district.

Christopher joined Caltrans District 4 in 2006 as an associate environmental planner (archaeology) in the Office of Cultural Resource Studies. Next, he was promoted to Senior Environmental Planner where he was assigned as the environmental compliance manager for the Presidio Parkway project and served as the single focal point for the delivery of all environmental compliance activities.

In 2018, Christopher was promoted to supervising environmental planner where he managed the Office of Cultural Resource Studies and was responsible for cultural resource regulatory compliance associated with Caltrans’ project delivery and environmental commitments.

In 2021, Christopher became the environmental manager for the State Route 37 corridor, which included co-leading the first Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study performed on a state highway in California.

Christopher is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, where he earned a master of arts degree in anthropology. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in archaeology from the College of Wooster (Ohio).

Prior to coming to Caltrans, Christopher worked for environmental consulting firms managing cultural resource compliance projects throughout California and other parts of the country.

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Tana Offenstein, DHR deputy division chief

Caltrans’ Division of Human Resources is pleased to announce Tana Offenstein has been named as the new deputy division chief, overseeing the Office of Statewide Liaison Services, Examination & Executive Selection Services, Office of Resource & Project Management, and Staff Central.

Tana has been with Caltrans’ DHR for 22 years, advancing through various roles since joining as a personnel specialist in transactions in 2001. She progressed to Personnel Supervisor I and II, then associate personnel analyst for the Transactions Team.

In 2011, Tana moved to an associate personnel analyst role in the newly established Office of Resource and Project Management, which focuses on streamlining processes like contracts and DHR hiring. Later, she was promoted to Staff Services Manager I, Branch Chief, and then Staff Services Manager II, Office Chief, overseeing Resource Units and Staff Central Team.

Tana is an exceptional leader who utilizes her extensive knowledge and experience to provide excellent customer service to DHR and our partners.

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Xiaolan “Lan” Zhou, District 12 director

Xiaolan “Lan” Zhou is the new director of District 12.

Lan served as District 12 deputy director of planning and local assistance for the past eleven years. Prior to that, Lan was the District 12 corridor system management program manager and regional planning and local development review branch chief.

Lan began her Caltrans career in District 4 as a lead engineer in Maintenance and Toll Bridge Engineering.

Lan excels in strategic planning, organizational excellence, and partnership building, and has a wide breadth of experience including working for universities, a metropolitan planning organization, local government and multiple state departments of transportation.

Lan holds two master’s degrees in civil engineering and urban and regional planning, and she is both a certified engineer and planner.

Born and raised in China, Lan has is married and with her husband has raised two very accomplished daughters. In her spare time, Lan is actively involved in her church, and enjoys reading, traveling, hiking, and practicing Taiichi.

As the District 12 director, Lan will lead nearly 1,000 employees and serves 3.2 million residents. As a leader with 30-plus years of experience in transportation planning, engineering and management, Lan looks forward to building a professional, productive and people first district culture, implementing the department’s Strategic Plan, and strengthening partnerships.

District 12 will continue the work toward providing safe, reliable, multi-modal transportation solutions that equitably serve all people in California, especially in Orange County.

Obituaries

Darrell Cardiff, District 1 archaeologist

Note: The following obituary appeared in the Eureka Times-Standard on Oct. 25, 2023.

Caltrans archaeologist Darrell Cardiff died suddenly on Oct. 12. He was 58 and leaves behind his cherished daughter, Diana.

Darrell was incredibly rich, in stories, camaraderie, in family and friends and in life. A person with a wealth of knowledge of history and culture. A person that could make a new friend feel comfortable in a room full of strangers.

He had so many friends that listing them here would not be possible. You could feel that his whole life was filled with enjoying the presence of those around him. He made an effort to stay in touch with his work friends, college friends, high school friends, and even friends from first grade.

This does not mean that Darrell was never serious. Darrell was an archaeologist for Caltrans. He felt a duty to make the world a better place – to be valued and to make others feel valued. To come up with creative solutions to difficult problems.

A favorite story of him is that he helped start a Caltrans art program on the Hoopa reservation with children decorating the back of road signs. As a side-benefit, such a program greatly reduced road-sign casualty rates along country roads. Such a program inspired similar tribal themed efforts along bridges and other Caltrans road construction projects in Humboldt County.

He was also proud that he was in a position to protect tribal rights. He had no qualms about stopping construction disturbing tribal ceremonies, much to the unhappiness of Caltrans crews at times. One's word was important to him. If he gave his word, he was going to do his utmost to honor it.

Of course, no story of Darrell could be told without fish. Darrell was a fisherman. He most loved fishing for steelhead and salmon, but would also fish for tuna, halibut, rock fish or literally anything that would bite a hook. He loved to catch fish, smoke fish, eat fish, share fish, watch fish, and talk fish. He loved to fish in Alaska with his friend Brian, Humboldt Bay with Jerome, or the many picturesque forested rivers and streams with Clyde and countless other friends.

Darrell's world revolved around his friends and fish, and if you happened to fish, then you were twice as likely to see Darrell on a regular basis.

Finally, Darrell cared deeply about family. His last adventure, just weeks ago, was taking his mother and father to Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon, as a "bucket list" trip for them. He also made 10- to 12-hour drives or flights to visit relatives on Thanksgiving or Christmas or just because he had the time.

Finally, he was so proud of his daughter and the incredibly poised, intelligent and caring young woman she has become. Diana graduated in 2023 with honors from McKinleyville High and is starting her college life.