Who's New
Sam Amen, Director’s Office executive liaison
Sam Amen
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.
Edward Barrera, Public Affairs division chief
Edward Barrera
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.
Christopher Caputo, deputy district director in District 4’s Division of Environmental Planning and Engineering
Christopher Caputo
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.
Tana Offenstein, DHR deputy division chief
Tana Offenstein
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.
Xiaolan “Lan” Zhou, District 12 director
Lan Zhou
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.