SANDAG appoints new CEO after nationwide search
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — After an extensive nationwide search, the San Diego Association of Government has chosen its next chief executive officer.
SANDAG appointed Mario Orso, the current chief deputy director of the California Department of Transportation District 11, as the next person to lead the agency, it announced Friday.
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According to SANDAG, Orso has more than 32 years of experience at Caltrans. He started as a junior civil engineer after earning his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from San Diego State University.
Before serving as chief deputy director for Caltrans District 11, he was the project director for the South County and Trade corridors, as well as the district’s first Native American liaison. He was also chosen as acting director for District 12 in Orange County.
His appointment comes after SANDAG’s board of directors chose deputy CEO Coleen Clementson to take over as the new interim CEO. Clementson was chosen to fill the role in the meantime after former CEO Hasan Ikhrata announced his intention to leave SANDAG last year.
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In November, a lawsuit was filed alleging that up to 45,000 people were incorrectly charged while driving on the SR-125 toll road in the South Bay. An investigation the following month found SANDAG lost millions in revenue due to inaccurate reporting in a general ledger and other issues.
In addition to leading more than 400 employees, Orso will also be responsible for navigating a $1.2 billion annual budget. His three-year contract begins on June 17.
“Mr. Orso is dedicated to the people of this region and has demonstrated his commitment by successfully building teams, delivering major infrastructure projects, and bringing hundreds of millions of dollars to the San Diego region,” said Nora Vargas, SANDAG and San Diego County supervisor chairwoman. “He embodies the qualities we were searching for in a leader and I am confident we have found a CEO who will be forward thinking, collaborative, and fiscally responsible.”
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