Head of Caltrans takes O.C. post
The state’s top transportation official has been hired to direct the Orange County Transportation Authority, a job that comes with a much larger salary and, perhaps, a lot less frustration.
Will Kempton has headed the California Department of Transportation for the last five years, overseeing 50,000 miles of state highways and directing $10 billion worth of transportation projects. He was appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to steer the state’s $14-billion transportation budget.
Kempton has worked in the transportation industry for 35 years. He lives in Folsom but indicated that he will move to Orange County. He will earn $255,000 a year to head OCTA. As the head of Caltrans, he made $150,000 a year.
At OCTA, Kempton will manage a much smaller agency with a $1.2-billion budget. The agency administers both the county’s highways and transit systems. One of the biggest challenges facing Kempton is financial -- funds from the state are dwindling and the agency faces a $33-million budget gap this coming year, said OCTA Chairman Peter Buffa.
Schwarzenegger, in announcing Kempton’s departure from Caltrans, said his Caltrans chief quickly shepherded federal stimulus dollars to the state’s transportation projects and was an “incredible driving force” behind rebuilding the state’s infrastructure. The governor has named Randell “Randy” Iwasaki, the chief deputy director of Caltrans, as Kempton’s replacement.
Kempton replaces Art Leahy, who now heads the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
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