about MARIA
Maria has over 33 years of experience in the public sector as a civil engineer and high-level management. Graduating from San Jose State University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering, she worked for the City of San Jose as a civil engineer for eight years in the divisions of development, transportation, and design construction. She gained more experience in a semi-rural city with the City of Orinda as an associate engineer. In 2001, Maria was hired as the division manager with the City of San Ramon in the Engineering Services Department. She was then promoted to Director of Public Works, managing over 100 employees in the Transportation, Engineering, and Public Services Divisions. She developed and managed a department operating budget of $40 million and a Five-Year Capital Improvement Program with a budget $70 million. She oversaw two Geologic Hazard Abatement Districts and Landscape & Lighting Districts. She oversaw over 75 professional and maintenance contracts at any given time.
In her leadership role, she has mentored many staff providing guidance and opportunities for training and growth and developing succession plans. Complex projects to highlight include – securing funding, design, and construction (underway) of the $30M Bollinger Canyon/Iron Horse Trail Pedestrian Overcrossing; full renovations of three community centers and one aquatic center in the amount of $24M; installation of an adaptive traffic signal system on City’s main corridors; development and implementation of five-year Pavement Management Plan maximizing improvements with limited funds; design and construction of new City Hall built in 2014; and oversight of a number of large developments. Maria is a licensed Professional Engineer. She has been involved in the Northern American Public Works Association and is a member of American Society of Civil Engineers.