Randell H. Iwasaki

Biography provided by participant

Randell "Randy" Iwasaki is the Executive Director of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA). Iwasaki was appointed by the CCTA Board on April 16, 2010. CCTA administers a one-half percent sales tax program. The 1988 "Measure C" program consists of $1.1 billion in projects and programs; the 2004 "Measure J" program totals $2 billion and will run from 2009 through 2034. The Authority is also the Congestion Management Agency, making recommendations on how state and federal transportation funds will be used in Contra Costa; and serves as manager for the Transportation Funds for Clean Air Program. Prior to his appointment as Executive Director, Iwasaki was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger in August 2009 as Director of the California Department of Transportation. He was in charge of the operation of the California state transportation system, including more than 50,000 lane miles of state highway, intercity passenger rail, state support for local mass transportation systems, 12,400 bridges and more than 250 general aviation airports. He oversaw an annual budget of almost $14 billion and a staff of more than 22,000 maintenance, planning, right of way, environmental, administrative, and engineering personnel. A licensed civil engineer, Iwasaki had been with Caltrans for more than 26 years serving in a number of high profile engineering and management positions. From November 2004 to August 2009, Iwasaki was appointed as the Department's Chief Deputy Director. Iwasaki also serves on a number of national transportation panels. The panels include chairing the Technology Coordinating Committee Chair for the renewal portion of the Strategic Highway Research Program and AASHTO's Special Committee on Transportation Security and Emergency Management. He is the past Chairman of ITS America. In 2009, he was named to Government Technology's list of 25 "Doers, Dreamers and Drivers," and in 2008 was the recipient of the Thomas H. McDonald Memorial Award, which is considered the highest award presented by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials for "rendering continuous outstanding service over an extended period of time or have made some exceptional contribution to the art and science of highway engineering." Iwasaki earned his bachelor's degree in Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and a Master's in Engineering from California State University, Fresno.