Randell H. Iwasaki

Director

Randell "Randy" Iwasaki is the Director of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

Iwasaki was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger in August 2009 and is 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 oversees 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 has 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.

During his Caltrans career, Iwasaki has spearheaded a number of transportation engineering innovations in California including the use of old tires in rubberized asphalt, the installation of LED red lights saving the state taxpayers more than $2 million a year in power costs, and conversion of the Caltrans equipment fleet to clean burning fuels.

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.