Will Kempton

Director

Appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger in November 2004, Mr. Kempton is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of California’s state transportation system, including more than 50,000 lane miles of state highways stretching from Mexico to Oregon and from the Pacific Ocean to Nevada and Arizona.

As leader of Caltrans, Mr. Kempton oversees an annual operating budget of more than $13.8 billion, 22,000 employees, and $10 billion worth of transportation improvements under construction.

Mr. Kempton began his career in transportation with Caltrans in 1973. He held management positions in the area of finance and the director’s office prior to being appointed as Assistant Director in charge of Legislative and Congressional affairs. In these positions, Mr. Kempton developed a broad understanding of transportation programs and policies at all levels of government. He is particularly knowledgeable in the area of transportation finance and legislative point of view.

Mr. Kempton translated his knowledge of transportation programs into the production arena during his employment as executive director of the Santa Clara County Traffic Authority. The sales tax program he managed is widely viewed as one of the most successful ever undertaken in the state, resulting in the delivery of nearly one billion dollars in highway improvements in less than 10 years. During his assignment as director of the Santa Clara County effort, Mr. Kempton mobilized California’s sales tax programs into an effective coalition of “self help” counties. Selected by his peers to head this group, he marshaled a confederation of agencies and successfully lobbied Caltrans and the state Legislature for the creation of a state-matching program for locally funded projects. To date, the state/local partnership program has provided more than $1.5 billion in matching funds for local transportation projects. This creative approach to achieving favorable objectives and the ability to build interest group consensus characterize Mr. Kempton’s management style.

Over the course of his career, Mr. Kempton has developed extensive contacts throughout the transportation community at all levels of government. These contacts include local, regional and state administrators, as well as many key members of the state Legislature and the United States Congress. Mr. Kempton has been able to use these contacts effectively to accomplish a variety of objectives. For example, his professional relationship with then Congressman Norman Mineta, former Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and subsequently Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation, was extremely helpful in securing federal grants to support projects such as the completion of the Measure A program in Santa Clara County.

In January 2003, Mr. Kempton joined the City of Folsom as Assistant City Manager, Community Services.  He was responsible for overseeing the operations of the City’s Community Development, Neighborhood Services, Parks and Recreation, Utilities, and Public Works departments. Prior to his appointment, he served as a City Parks and Recreation Commissioner for eight years.

Mr. Kempton resides in Folsom with his wife Beverley.  He has a son, Mark, and a daughter, Christina.