The board of directors of San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) at its March 7 meeting named Dr. Raymond W. Wolfe as the new executive director of the agency.   Dr. Wolfe has been the District 8 director of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), which encompasses  Riverside and San Bernardino counties.  He will succeed Interim Executive Director Ty Schuiling, who has been serving in that capacity since Deborah Barmack retired as SANBAG executive director in August 2011.
SANBAG is a council of governments that serves as the transportation agency for the county and its 24 incorporated cities.  The 29-member board of directors is composed of elected officials representing each of the 24 cities, along with all five  members of the county board of supervisors.
While at Caltrans, Dr. Wolfe worked with both regional transportation and local resource agencies on the regional highway network  and was the liaison to the statewide Caltrans director regarding local issues, achievements, and opportunities.  He has been serving as an ex-officio member of the SANBAG Board since 2008, representing Caltrans on county and regional issues.
Dr. Wolfe began his career with Caltrans in 1991 as a transportation engineer.  In 1998, he was promoted to senior bridge engineer.  In 2001, he took on the responsibility of opening a new bridge design office in Southern California as a supervising bridge engineer.  He managed the structure design implementation efforts related to accelerated bridge construction.  Dr. Wolfe was appointed as the District 8 director effective October 1, 2008.
Dr. Wolfe received his doctorate in civil engineering from the University of Southern California, a master of science degree in civil engineering from the California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, and a bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Southern California.  He is a registered civil engineer and a registered mechanical engineer in the state of California.
“Dr. Wolfe’s experience with Caltrans and the SANBAG Board has given him the foundation upon which to begin this important endeavor at SANBAG,” stated SANBAG President Larry McCallon, who is also the mayor of Highland.   “He has broad knowledge and expertise in transportation, is familiar with regional and local issues, and has worked effectively with local partners.  He has also been actively involved at the national level through the Transportation Research Board and the Strategic Highway Research Program.”
SANBAG’s current Fiscal Year 2011-2012 budget is $716 Million.  Funds are used to assist in development of regional transportation policies, plan, design, and build freeway improvements, bridges, and railroad crossings, operate and expand commuter rail and transit services countywide, manage air quality programs and freeway service patrol, implement alternative fuel and energy programs, and advocate for countywide interests at state and federal levels.
Wolfe will assume his new position effective April 9, 2012.