Who's New
Shanna Everts, division chief of Business Operations
Shanna Everts has been appointed as division chief of Business Operations.
Shanna is an accomplished public sector servant with extensive experience leading statewide programs that advance workforce safety well being, organizational effectiveness, and operational excellence within Caltrans. With nearly two decades of state of California service, including over 14 years at Caltrans, Shanna has developed a distinguished record of driving strategic initiatives, strengthening enterprise programs, and fostering a culture centered on safety, accountability and employee excellence.
As deputy division chief in the Division of Safety and Management Services, Shanna oversaw key statewide programs including Employee Health and Safety, Workplace Violence Prevention, Hybrid Telework, and Workers’ Compensation/Return to Work and Reasonable Accommodation/FMLA. She led complex policy development and high risk program areas while advancing operational improvements that strengthened a safe, adaptable and engaged workforce.
Shanna also brings a deep understanding of Caltrans’ mission and the systems that drive statewide operations, supported by experience in Workforce Planning, Ethics and Employee Recognition, Enterprise Risk Management, Strategic Planning, and Administration. Her accomplishments include launching the Caltrans Telework Program, Mentorship Program, and Leadership Series; modernizing the Employee Safety Program; establishing Safety Bootcamp; and providing steady strategic leadership throughout the COVID 19 pandemic.
Shanna holds a bachelor of arts in government from California State University, Sacramento. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Shanna is dedicated to her family that includes two boys and a freeloading German Shepherd. Shanna also enjoys staying active and has completed three marathons.
Cecilia Gutierrez, chief of staff
Cecilia Gutierrez is Caltrans’ new chief of staff.
Cecilia brings more than 18 years of combined experience in transportation, infrastructure planning and enterprise support services.
Her Caltrans career spans several divisions and program areas. She began in Caltrans Administration at Headquarters, where she led statewide strategic planning and budget analysis. She later supported the Division of Project Management, chairing the Workplan Standards Guide Committee and advancing implementation of the PRSM workload scheduling software.
In the Division of Business Operations, she managed the SHOPP Office Building Program and led the delivery of the Caltrans facility infrastructure plan to the Department of Finance. Her work in the Division of Safety and Management Services centered on statewide policy development, performance assessment, and organizational improvement.
She served as chief executive liaison in District 4, Bay Area and upon her latest promotion was serving as acting chief of staff for the Caltrans Director’s Office, where she provided executive leadership, strategic coordination and high level guidance on statewide priorities.
Prior to joining Caltrans, Cecilia spent more than seven years in the private sector as a sales engineer with General Electric (GE), specializing in electrical distribution systems across the San Diego and Sacramento regions. She is trained in Six Sigma methodologies and is a graduate of GE’s Leadership Training Program.
Cecilia holds a bachelor of science in management science with a minor in engineering science from the University of California, San Diego.
Known for her strong dedication to public service, Cecilia is committed to fostering collaboration, strengthening organizational effectiveness, and supporting the people who deliver California’s transportation mission. She looks forward to continuing to advance the department’s mission, vision and goals with thoughtful leadership, accountability and service to the public.
Outside of work, Cecilia enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors and walking her pug.
Marissa Molina, state legislation manager, Headquarters Legislative Affairs
Marissa Molina is the new state legislation manager in Caltrans Headquarters Legislative Affairs.
Marissa first joined Caltrans Legislative Affairs in September 2024, acting as the legislative liaison to Maintenance, Traffic Operations, Safety and Equipment (MOSE), assisting to lead the department’s legislative engagement on a wide range of topics including outdoor advertising, homelessness, suicide deterrence and automated speed enforcement.
Prior to joining Caltrans, Marissa served as a legislative analyst at the California Highway Patrol (CHP), where she managed a portfolio of both public safety and transportation-related legislation. In that role, she worked closely with departmental leadership and subject matter experts to analyze proposed legislation, develop policy recommendations, and represent departmental interests throughout the legislative process.