New Caltrans Leaders Sworn In
Laurie Berman is the transportation department's new director and Ryan Chamberlain its new chief deputy director. Gov. Jerry Brown, who appointed both, said they are a strong leadership team for the department, which is an $8.5 billion organization with nearly 20,000 employees.
Two new leaders for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) were sworn in March 5. They are Laurie Berman, the department's new director, and Ryan Chamberlain, the new chief deputy director. Gov. Jerry Brown, who appointed both, said they are a strong leadership team for the department, which is an $8.5 billion organization with nearly 20,000 employees. Both appointments were effective March 3, 2018.
Berman had been Caltrans' acting chief deputy director since October 2017. During her 34-year history with Caltrans, she has served in roles that include district director in the San Diego region. She replaces Director Malcolm Dougherty, who is leaving to pursue opportunities in the private sector.
"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead an agency that has a major impact to those who live, visit, and do business in the state of California. Transportation plays a vital role in the state's economy and livability for every Californian, and I look forward to building on the great progress this department has made over the last several years," Berman said.
Chamberlain has been the Caltrans district director in the Orange County region since 2012. He previously was chief of the division of transportation planning, branch chief of local development and intergovernmental review, and was a transportation planner in the private sector.
Caltrans manages more than 50,000 miles of California's highway and freeway lanes, provides inter-city rail services, permits more than 400 public-use airports and special-use hospital heliports, and works with local agencies. It has six primary programs: Aeronautics, Highway Transportation, Mass Transportation, Transportation Planning, Administration, and the Equipment Service Center.