The Board of Supervisors authorized the County Executive to appoint Ron E. Vicari as the Director of the Department of Transportation, effective October 15. Through a national recruitment search of highly qualified candidates, Vicari was shown to be the top qualifier based on experience, education, and overall qualifications for the Director of Transportation position.
“Sacramento County is fortunate to have an exceedingly qualified individual from within its ranks to serve as the Director of the Department of Transportation,” said Michael Penrose, Deputy County Executive, Public Works and Infrastructure Agency.
Mr. Vicari started his County career 14 years ago in 2003 as a Department of Transportation Associate Civil Engineer/ Design Engineer, and was promoted to Senior Civil Engineer in 2006, and again in 2008 to Principal Civil Engineer. Through his 20 years of civil engineer experience, Vicari has been committed to leading teams to improve regional transportation needs of communities.
“Over the last 14 years, I am most proud of my efforts to collaborate with County staff and local developers to achieve reasonable development fees, stimulate smart development and innovation while providing solutions that improve and deliver the supporting transportation infrastructure. I look forward to inspiring continued teamwork and leading the department into the future,” said Ron Vicari.
Having an impressive track record in designing and supervising large-scale public construction projects to include roads, overpasses, and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, Vicari was also recognized as an expert in pavement maintenance, asset management, and rehabilitation strategies and has generated nearly $90 million in grant funding to supplement Department of Transportation revenue.
Mr. Vicari was born and raised in Sacramento County and only lived away from the area when he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from California State University, Chico and worked in the private sector. He was excited to move back to Sacramento to what he has always considered his home. In addition to his degree, Vicari also has a Certification of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer from the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.
He and his wife, Jane, who is a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing with Sacramento City Unified School District have been married 21 years and have three children. The Director of Transportation director position became vacant in May when Michael Penrose was appointed Deputy County Executive of the Public Works and Infrastructure Agency.