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SANDAG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECRUITMENT

SUMMARY OF STAKEHOLDER AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

JANUARY 2018

PREPARED BY:

Pam Derby, Senior Executive Recruiter

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECRUITMENT | SUMMARY OF STAKEHOLDER AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 2

Table of Contents

Overview of Engagement Activities 3

Primary Feedback Themes 5

Subregional Community Engagement Meetings 6

SANDAG Executive Staff 10

Employee Feedback Sessions 11

Stakeholder Meetings 13

Survey Results 14

Position Description 19


OVERVIEW OF ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES The SANDAG Board of Directors emphasized the importance of public engagement as part of the Executive Director recruitment. CPS HR Consulting, the firm selected to conduct the recruitment, with input from the Recruitment Subcommittee, developed a robust bilingual outreach and communication plan to provide a variety of opportunities for regional leaders; members of transportation, environmental, business, and labor groups; community and advocacy representatives; members of the public; and employees to provide input on the leadership characteristics, knowledge, skills, and experience the Board could consider when selecting a new Executive Director.

Engagement opportunities included public comment at the Board of Director’s meeting on January 12, 2018; five subregional community meetings hosted by members of the Recruitment Subcommittee in their respective jurisdictions; four employee feedback sessions; a survey; and in-person and/or teleconference meetings with SANDAG executive staff and a diverse cross-section of SANDAG stakeholders.

A comprehensive communications plan was created to inform stakeholders of the many forums and methods by which they could provide feedback, which included:

• A flier that advertised five subregional community meetings and public comment at the January 12 Board of Directors meeting. The flier also included the link to the online survey and contact information for the lead recruiter, Pam Derby, with CPS HR. The flier was produced in both English and Spanish; hard copies were available at SANDAG meetings and a PDF was distributed electronically and posted to the SANDAG website.

• A survey (English/Spanish) was developed to gather feedback on the leadership characteristics, knowledge, and skills desired for the next Executive Director. The survey was available online and printed copies were provided at each of the five subregional community meetings and at SANDAG public meetings.

• Social media

• Facebook events for five subregional meetings

• Facebook and Twitter posts (English/Spanish) regarding the January 12 Board of Directors meeting, five subregional community meetings, and online survey

• Website

• Dedicated web page for Executive Director recruitment (sandag.org/ExecDirectorSearch)

• Dedicated web pages (English/Spanish) for community engagement (sandag.org/NextExec and sandag.org/ProxDirEjecutivo) that included information about the January 12 Board of Directors meeting, subregional community engagement meetings, and online survey; the draft position description was posted as a PDF along with links to related SANDAG public meeting agendas

• Featured project placement on sandag.org

• News item on sandag.org homepage

• Media

• Press release announcing all community engagement opportunities

• Five media advisories were distributed, one prior to each subregional community meeting

• Targeted outreach via the SANDAG Public Information Office


• Email

• An article was included in the January 2018 issue of the SANDAG Region newsletter

• An email (English/Spanish) was sent to more than 90,000 subscribers to SANDAG program and project email lists to invite participation at the January 12 Board of Directors meeting, subregional community meetings, and through the online survey; contact information also was provided for Pam Derby with CPS HR

• Engagement opportunity information was distributed to and/or through:

o SANDAG Board of Directors

o SANDAG Policy Advisory Committees (Transportation, Regional Planning, Borders, and Public Safety Committees)

o SANDAG Technical Working Groups

o Community Based Organizations

o SANDAG member and partner agency Communications contacts, city clerks, and city managers

o Legislative contacts

o Borders program contacts

o Freight stakeholders

o Tribal government and military contacts

o SANDAG vendors and on-call consultants

The culmination of these activities included participation by more than 100 individuals at the subregional community meetings and employee feedback sessions; 251 responses to the online survey, and more than 35 in-person and/or teleconference meetings with representatives from transportation, environmental, business, and labor groups; community and advocacy representatives; SANDAG executive staff; partner agencies; and legislative contacts.

The following summary of feedback is broken into sections: Subregional Community Engagement Meetings, SANDAG Executive Staff, Employees, Stakeholders, and Survey Results. Information gathered through these outlets has been combined with input CPS HR received during one-on-one meetings/phone calls with members of the SANDAG Board of Directors during January; this feedback was used to update the position description, the working document initially created to assist in generating feedback, and to create the Executive Director recruitment brochure which will be used as a marketing tool to attract highly qualified candidates.


PRIMARY FEEDBACK THEMES The main themes regarding the desired leadership characteristics, knowledge, and skills emerging from the stakeholder and community engagement activities include:

• An individual with credibility, integrity, and the ability to build trust.

• A visionary with knowledge of regional planning and sustainable multimodal transportation systems who is committed to assisting member agencies with implementation of their Climate Action Plans.

• A strong mentor and leader for employees, with the ability to hire and retain exceptional talent, and who encourages professional development, transparent communication, and team-building.

• An apolitical consensus builder with the ability to fairly assess and address the complex and diverse transportation issues experienced by all segments of the region’s population.

• An individual with extensive knowledge of transportation funding sources and the ability to creatively leverage funds so SANDAG continues its legacy of having projects ‘shovel ready’ as soon as funding becomes available.

• An open, honest communicator and relationship builder with a strong local, state, and federal network who embraces collaboration and its importance to SANDAG success.

• Familiarity with transboundary planning and the ability to foster strong relationships with Mexico to undertake the challenges and opportunities associated with the busiest border crossing in the world.

• An exceptional leader with an unflappable presence and the ability to provide clear, thoughtful analysis and decisions in a demanding, fast-paced, and often contentious environment.

• A track record of leading change and ensuring organizations achieve their highest levels of performance and success.


SUBREGIONAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS Community engagement meetings were held throughout the San Diego region between January 17 and 30, 2018. The meetings were hosted by members of the Recruitment Subcommittee in their respective jurisdictions:

• North County Inland: Escondido Mayor Sam Abed

• South County: Chula Vista Mayor Mary Salas

• East County: Santee Mayor John Minto

• North County Coastal: Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear

• Central San Diego: San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox

Approximately 100 participants attended and provided thoughtful input regarding the characteristics they would like to see in the next SANDAG Executive Director and the role they would like SANDAG to play in their communities.

During the meetings, live note-taking of participants’ comments was displayed on-screen to ensure transparency of the process. The notes captured during each meeting are included below.

North County Inland

• Visibility

• Demonstrated ability to implement innovative solutions

• Environmentally oriented

• From a similar community/region

• Not afraid to tackle politics to plan for the future – infrastructure, housing, traffic, etc.

• Use political influence to accomplish goals

• Balance the varied needs of the entire region

• Have the foresight to manage today’s problems with tomorrow’s solutions in mind

• Local familiarity would be helpful

• Direct partnerships with neighboring counties to improve congestion related to commuting; this includes housing

• Visionary, prior experience implementing multimodal solutions

• Riverside County will be a key partner

• Have an eye toward electric-oriented transportation for health benefits

• Decentralize the transportation hub

• Act as a bridge between the organization and its customers (the communities)

• Enable Boards and committees to be a part of the solution

• Understand the diverse needs of each community, including rural areas, elderly population, etc.

• Promote public transit options

• Use social media to communicate with the public

• Excellent communication skills

• Trustworthy

• Listens to and works with Board members


South County

• Someone who respects various community groups and can develop a working relationship with them

• Understands the diversity of the San Diego county in terms of ethnicity, income levels, city size, etc.

• Experience developing visionary plans for transportation

• Aware of the relationship with Mexico and characteristics of San Diego county’s population

• Aware of the region’s climate action plan and current water issues

• Have a sense of the right balance between economic development, housing, and habitat preservation

• Sensitive to reducing carbon emissions and implementing transit solutions; responsive to citizens and forthcoming to the Board

• A listener as much as a talker; this includes listening to quiet voices, not just the squeaky wheels

• Someone who can be impartial without a conflict of interest

• Balance transportation options between roads, mass transit, bike/pedestrian, etc. to meet the goals and priorities of residents

• Committed to transportation equity – prioritizing communities that need it the most

• Recognizes that automobile emissions account for a large portion of total emissions

• Someone who is honest with data, budgets, etc.; transparency is key

• Plans with an eye to flooding, rising oceans, and resiliency to disasters

• Supports climate action planning and works toward its success rather than hindering progress

• Represents all of the region’s communities

• Demonstrated experience/capacity to reduce emissions

• Someone who wants to be seen and known by the public

• A visionary with regard to mass transit and making it efficient and attractive compared to automobiles; will work with large employers on incentives

• Engage in public outreach – City Council meetings, events, etc.

• Consider quality of life in each community; engage with developers to maximize future transportation plans

• Improve public safety on mass transit modes; ability to create a plan and past experience with implementation

• Someone with a background in addressing equity issues and helping disadvantaged communities

East County

• Someone who is aware of the importance of addressing climate change with regard to the local transportation system and emissions

• Brisbane, Australia and Portland, OR could be great models to follow

• Someone with the ability to make existing and future mass transit systems more efficient, getting residents from high-density areas to their places of work and more

• A specialist, as in the medical professional analogy, who is keenly aware of the existing problems and symptoms of the San Diego region’s transportation network

• Knowledge of AB 805 would be extremely helpful

• A depth of experience – the more the better; awareness of international transit best practices

• Honesty, integrity, accuracy, accountability, and trustworthiness

• Someone with “major league” experience

• Above local politics – owes no favors and not influenced by these agendas, so possibly someone from the outside


• Someone who will consider and address the airports’ contribution to air quality problems

• Ability to juggle and balance the diverse needs of the elected officials and the communities which they represent

• Needs to develop a culture of fairness and an appropriate balance of power, with an emphasis on listening to employees

• Someone whose management style agrees with what the Board is looking for

• Local knowledge and region-wide awareness is important

• Urban mass transit as well as suburban transit needs

• A planner, but also an implementer who can carry out plans and major infrastructure projects, someone who will get it done; ability to work through project road blocks

• Change agent who can unify the county and harmonize the needs of each community

• A communicator who will tout the organization and its service offerings

North County Coastal

• Someone who is ethical and transparent

• Aware of and will support climate change initiatives – rising sea levels, toxic and hazardous waste sites, etc.

• Someone who uses facts and science in their decision making

• Demonstrated experience and commitment to environmental issues

• In depth knowledge of urban planning and sustainable transportation

• A creative and inclusive individual

• Someone who can address carbon emissions from automobiles using innovative transit solutions

• Plan and implement everywhere, including low income areas

• Advance the progress of mass transit options

• Make mass transit options reasonable and feasible for the user, including making it easy to access

• Someone who can address traffic on the I-5 corridor

• Someone who can implement world-class transit solutions, including creative financing methods

• Ability to speak to emerging transit solutions with an eye to implementation

Central San Diego

• Someone who can acknowledge the effects of climate change and contend with massive future growth, making it a strategic priority

• Has a community-minded focus

• Background in environmental issues and planning

• Someone who can implement plans for results

• Prioritize mass transit, not just automobile infrastructure

• Someone who will not forget certain communities and who can work to include transit access to as many citizens as possible

• A world-class transit system is key; the Director must fund and maintain a mass transit system that is reasonable and feasible to use, including increased service offerings and frequencies; consider best practice cities and emulate their success

• Realize that transit services are needed by people outside of the usual 9 to 5 business hours

• Someone who can make San Diego’s transit as good or better than our peer cities


• Advance bicycle infrastructure in the community

• Familiar with the community’s diversity and connect with citizens; encourage staff to have this same cultural awareness

• Represent disadvantaged communities and work with transparency, be visible

• Someone with experience expanding a mass transit system – demonstrated experience, not just theoretical knowledge

• Improve transit times and increase disabled features in the system and on the web, transit must be an attractive option for people to take, look at electric buses

• Someone with a demonstrated understanding of equity issues in San Diego, use CALENVIROSCREEN 3.0 in these efforts

• See projects through to completion – 100%

• Improve the image of SANDAG in the community

• Creative thinker who can devise affordable solutions; improve communications for implemented solutions

• Include disadvantaged communities in devising solutions for fixing pollution problems; someone who has a vision for addressing these issues

• Improve communication in all aspects from current projects to future plans

• The Executive Director should be very familiar with the climate action plan and recognize how the public transit system can work towards achieving the goals in this plan

• Engage with the community on transportation/environmental problems to increase citizen involvement

• Someone who is transparent and truthful

• Consider contamination associated with the Naval Base; address health concerns for the children – bicycle awareness is one good example; visit and be familiar with communities to discover the best ideas

• Possess an understanding of environmental justice

• Proven experience in community engagement with an ability to implement; considers different age groups

• Consider the refugee community in making plans – connect with them

• Improve project completion times and consider involving the community in the evening

• Someone with BIG ideas, dedicated transit lanes/roads, design routes for the people and their needs; look at Quick Ways

• Improve the existing bicycle system to increase usage and decrease emissions; advance equitable accessibility; strengthen transit connections; she should have vision with an ability to implement

• Consider local candidates who have passion for the work; have a clear vision for working on transportation and climate change – recognize that things must change

• Continue community engagement through the search process; have solutions to address environmental justice, climate change, etc.

• Control prices on the transit system

• Address mobility needs


SANDAG EXECUTIVE STAFF Pam Derby met with current members of the SANDAG Executive Team, including the Chief Deputy Executive Director, General Counsel, and Department Directors. Their comments are summarized around the major themes expressed.

• A consensus builder, able to effectively deal with contentious issues

• Masterful at project financing and understands SANDAG’s complex funding streams

• Casts a vision and manages change

• Ability to respond on the spot and pivot quickly

• Understands the transportation landscape in California and SANDAG’s critical relationships with their colleague agencies

• Embraces innovation and is comfortable with technology

• Can effectively manage expectations of a wide array of stakeholders

• Sees unique approaches to partnering and leveraging funds to get things done

• Creates a vision for the next 40 years

• A good listener/communicator who is respectful to employees and appreciates their expertise

• Has an established network of legislative and congressional contacts

• Understands the bicultural nature of the relationship with Mexico

• Is comfortable dealing with the media and press and the ability to anticipate tough questions


EMPLOYEE FEEDBACK SESSIONS

SANDAG employees were provided with opportunities to join group feedback sessions with Pam Derby. A summary of the input provided by employees is below.

• Is not influenced by politics or owing any political favors

• An environmentalist who can incorporate these concepts (such as air quality) in future transportation systems

• A progressive who can implement new/modern transportation systems; a leader in this area

• Knowledge and understanding of the importance of small business/DBEs being involved in local projects

• Supports labor compliance

• Continues “Cocoa with Kim” sessions including opportunities to ask questions (anonymously) and respond to the questions

• Communication with employees is important

• Recognizes busy border region

• Someone fresh – not local

• Conducts transparent, open recruitments for available staff positions

• Allows for professional development and opportunities for employees to support advancement

• Talent/skill in getting federal and state funds to support projects

• Networking/personal connections that support program areas

• Familiarity with San Diego, CA

• Is accessible – knows employee’s names and what they do

• Can guide the Board to a degree and help educate them as there are new Board members all the time

• Understands California environmental regulations

• Be a collaborator and advocate for SANDAG

• Ensure there are clear internal communication plans

• Can make the tough decision and meet milestones

• Understands the importance of networking and external relationships

• Understands binational issues

• Willingness to be transparent

• Someone who has employees’ backs

• Personable and engaging with a sense of humor

• Will uphold the Planner’s Code of Ethics

• Hires employees with skills set that complement their own

• A “Head Coach” who creates a cohesive team – motivational

• Trusts employees to do their jobs

• Is progressive with a fresh set of eyes to make things more efficient

• Private sector experience could be helpful

• Values institutional knowledge and keeps an eye on the turnover rate

• Values good customer service and how to best serve the public


• Considers employees as customers and makes the effort to understand the service delivery methods of SANDAG teams

• Has a people/processes/technology perspective

• Understands planning vs. operations and their different needs from an organizational perspective

• Strong program management experience

• Is mindful of continual improvement and knows how to monitor and measure accomplishments - results need to bring value to the organization

• Able to provide clarity on agency mission and vision and tie that to employee performance

• Values equity and fairness in dealing with the communities SANDAG serves


STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS

During the month of January 2018, Pam Derby spoke to and/or met with more than 35 stakeholders including state and federal legislators, partner agencies, community organizations and advocacy representatives. Comments are summarized around the major themes expressed.

• Is equally supportive of roads and transit

• Strong management skills who can keep an eye towards what’s going on inside the organization

• Understands Sacramento and D.C. because so much funding depends on those relationships and know how

• Is flexible but stays within the rules

• Has experience with big projects and big bureaucracies

• Wants to meet or exceed state Climate Action Plan goals

• Is not risk averse and is willing to encourage projects that some consider an inconvenience

• Partner with community groups around bikes, pedestrian, transit, and social justice issues

• Is mindful that transportation is about moving people efficiently and effectively

• Supports measuring the health effects of new roadways and more carbon emissions

• Has a passion for creative transit and city planning

• An innovative thinker who can balance working with neighborhoods, funding sources, and bureaucratic intransigence to maximize SANDAG’s regional impact

• Has a vision for a more interconnected region that offers a high quality of life for everyone

• Continues SANDAG’s history of collaboration with Mexico – bilingual is a huge plus

• Believes in setting up processes so everyone feels they were heard and opinions valued

• Collaboration is at the top of the list - listening to all points of view and being able to work through various issues to achieve successful outcomes for all


SURVEY RESULTS The following results were collected anonymously via survey (print and online) based on the Executive Director draft position description. Respondents were asked to rate Leadership Characteristics and Knowledge and Skills areas from Absolutely Essential to Not Important at All. Space was provided to list additional Job Duties, Characteristics, and Knowledge and Skills. There were 251 respondents. A representative sample of comments gathered via the survey are also provided.

LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTIC RATINGS

Absolutely

Essential

Very

Important

Of Average

Importance

Of Little

Importance

Not Important

at All

Create Vision and Purpose Count 156 62 16 2 2

Row % 65.5% 26 .1% 6 .7% 0 .8 % 0 .8 %

Strategic Leadership Count 147 64 19 2 2

Row % 62.8 % 27.4% 8 .1% 0 .9 % 0 .9 %

Collaborate with Partners and Stakeholders Count 149 65 18 2 2

Row % 63.1% 27.5% 7.6 % 0 .8 % 0 .8 %

Achieve Results Count 148 73 13 0 1

Row % 63.0 % 31.1% 5.5% 0 .0 % 0 .4%

Promote Innovation and Guide Change Count 146 69 16 2 2

Row % 62.1% 29 .4% 6 .8 % 0 .9 % 0 .9 %

Manage Performance Count 125 80 26 2 1

Row % 53.4% 34.2% 11.1% 0 .9 % 0 .4%

Integrity, Respect, and Trust Count 203 26 5 0 1

Row % 86 .4% 11.1% 2.1% 0 .0 % 0 .4%


KNOWLEDGE AREA/SKILL RATINGS

Absolutely Essential

Very Important

Of Average Importance

Of Little Importance

Not Important at All

Regional Governance Count 113 82 27 2 1

Row % 50.2% 36.4% 12.0% 0.9% 0.4%

Local Trends and Issues Count 127 79 18 1 1

Row % 56.2% 35.0% 8.0% 0.4% 0.4%

Laws, Policies, and Regulations Count 85 94 43 2 1

Row % 37.8% 41.8% 19.1% 0.9% 0.4%

Funding Sources Count 110 82 27 3 1

Row % 49.3% 36.8% 12.1% 1.3% 0.4%

Working Relationships Count 132 68 25 0 0

Row % 58.7% 30.2% 11.1% 0.0% 0.0%

Political Savvy Count 93 80 40 7 6

Row % 41.2% 35.4% 17.7% 3.1% 2.7%

Management Practices Count 101 80 40 1 2

Row % 45.1% 35.7% 17.9% 0.4% 0.9%

Goal Setting Count 120 77 23 3 2

Row % 53.3% 34.2% 10.2% 1.3% 0.9%

Supervision Count 89 86 45 2 2

Row % 39.7% 38.4% 20.1% 0.9% 0.9%

Fiscal Management Count 106 90 28 0 1

Row % 47.1% 40.0% 12.4% 0.0% 0.4%

Communication

Count 125 76 22 1 1

Row % 55.6% 33.8% 9.8% 0.4% 0.4%

Problem Solving

Count 144 61 17 0 1

Row % 64.6% 27.4% 7.6% 0.0% 0.4%


SURVEY COMMENTS A representative sampling of comments received include the following:

• A candidate who is able to represent the most disadvantaged members of the community. Demonstrated experience in addressing climate change and its origins/impacts in an urban setting. Demonstrated ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and co-pollutants in disadvantaged communities as they relate to transportation systems. Demonstrated understanding of the Climate Action Plan in San Diego.

• Honest, experienced, responsible, has certification, good communication with the community, multicultural, not compromised, with good feelings; good leader; bilingual.

• Uses and supports scientific and evidence based decision making. Experience leading teams in research of urban analytics, transportation modeling, and urbanism. Expertise in transit planning and implementation including project management. Successful experience in working with diverse communities on environmental justice, climate and transportation justice solutions. Proven experience with public engagement and inclusion in decision making. Leadership experience in reforming government agencies and have a clear vision on how to implement AB 805. Champion equitable policies e.g. funding to allow for free youth/student bus passes.

• Lead SANDAG toward fulfillment of San Diego's Climate Action Plan, with particular emphasis on the 2020 and 2030 goals. Conduct outreach to communities, particularly low-income communities, and incorporate findings into transit planning on an ongoing basis.

• Maintain awareness of regional, national, and international trends as applicable to urban and rural smart growth, land use, and transportation options to enhance the region's quality of life. Maintain and exceed SANDAG's position as a leader in regional planning. Ensure continuous professional growth, excellence, and highest ethical standards of SANDAG's entire staff and Executive Director himself/herself.

• Be a leader in regionwide planning efforts to insure transportation investments are closely linked with growth and appropriate land use to insure public dollars are well spent and facilitate growth. Use other regional governments as a model, work to expand role of agency in comprehensive planning for region.

• Knowledge of transportation plans that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled to help meet California's goal of reducing GHG emissions by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Understands how transportation plans impact San Diegans, particularly residents in disadvantaged communities, in relation to safe, affordable and convenient access to jobs, services and schools. Willingness to improve transparency and communication with residents.

• Monitor staff and ensure the agency is adequately staffed with personnel to ensure data quality, good fiscal management, and efficient project delivery. Be knowledgeable of CEQA, NEPA, and general California and Federal Environmental laws to best posture the agency to meet mandates and implement the agency's mission. Strong ability to monitor long term project plans (RTIP, RTP) and bring updates to the Board often as cost and revenue projections change. Be able to bring in funding from a variety of local, state and federal sources. Be a leader in climate change and economically sound ways to reduce GHG.

• Broaden the transparency and accessibility of SANDAG planning, processes, procedures, and internal meetings for the general public. Provide a public calendar of all meetings related to any SANDAG personnel with internal and external attendees listed before these meetings and provide meeting minutes for each meeting within 2 business days.

• Ensures transportation plans improve affordable, convenient, frequent, and safe access to jobs, services and schools especially for San Diegans in disadvantaged communities and those most impacted by highway pollution. Maintains transparency and communication with residents in order to regain faith of San Diegans.

• Experience in using health benefits to drive transportation planning.

• Ensure that SANDAG products are part of a plan to ensure that cars and light-duty trucks achieve true climate stabilizing targets, by either finding such a plan or creating such a plan and then directing conformance to the plan. Direct SANDAG to use a systems-engineering approach to solve problems. Ensure that SANDAG conforms to California Environmental Quality Act Law.


• A clearly dedicated emphasis on making San Diego's public transit the best in the nation. No more freeways. We don't even have a major transit stop at the airport. We need someone with a vision for innovative ideas like solar bike paths (e.g., the Netherlands), not mediocre and expensive projects rooted in the 1950s.

• A history of being aware of and involved in constructing transportation plans that are shaped to achieve the state's goal of reducing GHG (greenhouse gas emissions) 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. An outstanding candidate would be trying to do better than this goal. Willingness to take into account racial issues that lead to exceptional access to transportation for all, but especially in our disadvantaged areas that need transport to schools, work, and grocery stores. Right now, many do not use public transit because it simply takes too long to get anywhere and is not reliable enough to be certain of getting places on time. An acute awareness of recent history of SANDAG (the scandal leading to needing a new Executive Director) and being willing to engage with the public and put specific measures into place for complete transparency with the public.

• A qualification, not a duty: professional planning (AICP) experience is a must. Our last Director was a road engineer, which biased his judgment. Planners see the big picture and don't have a modal bias.

• A yearly Quality of Life in San Diego County report.

• An asset I believe would to have a knowledge of the "Laws of California" and the differences in the citizens in San Diego and their local community needs. Of all the places we have lived, this is the most diverse, complicated, we have two Military bases, two Military Hospitals, many retired Vets, many, many languages are spoken in San Diego, unlike most areas of the United States. So what I am saying - the applicant could have had a great career, great education and NOT BE THE DIVERSE UNDERSTANDING PERSON FOR OUR AREA. WE must have someone that can get the JOB done and be fiscally responsible with our tax dollars. They can't walk in the door thinking their past experience will be a perfect fit, that person doesn't exist and they would need to be able to observe, listen, work with the structure we have and move us forward to a better way of life, not bankrupt us.

• Be a bold visionary leader to think outside the box to transform transportation planning in the San Diego region to meet the needs of a changing workforce and challenges of a changing climate and provide more viable options to the traveling public including transit, biking, walking, traffic calming, complete streets, and electric vehicles with a focus on public health, environmental justice, and community outreach.

• Create programs that benefit most people, not just bike riders. Roll back failed programs like the lane reduction in Oceanside. How many of you make these decisions actually use these bike lanes regularly? Horrible that my tax dollars go to this nonsense.

• Ensure an effective management team and succession plan is in place. Encourage staff development and education, and assist program staff in relating their specialized work to the total program of the organization. Maintain a climate which attracts, keeps, motivates, and empowers a diverse staff of top quality people.

• Ensure gender equality in the workplace, and holds Directors accountable for making exceptions to SANDAG policies.

• Ensure meaningful public engagement and outreach. Actively create more opportunities for public involvement on all levels. Ensure ethnic and gender diversity in staff and all associated groups and committees. Uphold the strongest pro-environmental and sustainability standards possible. Actively create opportunities for greater transparency, collaboration, and accountability.

• Ensure on-time and on-budget delivery of SANDAG programs, projects, and services. Secure necessary funding for regional projects that provide for a livable and thriving community.

• Ensure that SANDAG delivers capital projects, like the Mid Coast Project, to the satisfaction of the major funding agencies. Oversee and monitor revenue forecasting projections.

• Ensure that SANDAG's policies and programs are consistent with state laws and policies, including those relating to combating climate change and those promoting mass transit and passive transportation modes.

• Ensure that the integrity of SANDAG is maintained at the highest levels.

• Establish a process for meaningful community participation for projects impacting disadvantaged communities that normally would not be in the loop but are directly impacted by the decisions/solutions being proposed.


• I believe San Diego is becoming an international city that could grow into a major hub for business in the Pacific and Southern Hemisphere trades. The Executive Director should be able to out-perform Los Angeles and New York who seem to be trying to take over San Diego. I know we cannot compete with Los Angeles for container shipping, but we can do reefers and cruise ships, and this is where we can excel. Business wise we could expand a white-collar Engineering and Development sector to bring a more than minimum wage private sector tax base and illegals to the region. That's about all I have seen here since I moved to San Diego in 1982.

• I think it is important that the Executive Director has progressive values and a desire to move our region forward. It is important this person understands why it is important that we do what we do and the interconnectedness of things like transportation, the environment, housing, and other regional planning issues. This person should be a leader in the field. This person should also value staff and creativity, helping us to do our best work by trusting us to do what we are best at. This person should be supportive of staff and be willing to stand up for us when needed. This person should also make decisions based on ethical reasons. If political decisions must be made, it is important for this person to value transparency. This person should also be a good communicator, with and understanding of how to communicate to the public, staff, the Board, and partners and should understand that all of those types of communication are different.

• I would like to see the next Executive Director attend neighborhood association meetings. This would show the community SANDAG cares.

• Partner with universities to plan transportation infrastructure that meets the need for growing San Diego 's economy and helps students reach job centers. Partner with tribal governments to develop strategies for how to create infrastructure to meet the need for employees and tourists to travel to Indian Reservations.

• Prioritize creating safe bicycle routes instead of furthering an automobile based society to address climate change issues and improve culture.

• Prioritize pedestrian and bike-centered infrastructure and development. Prioritize lower-energy and lower-traffic transit solutions (e.g. walking, biking, public transit, carpooling). Prioritize environmental preservation/conservation that encourages people's interaction with the outdoors.

• Provide executive oversight of personnel resources, ensuring fiscally responsible decisions concerning the number of personnel and adequacy of current staffing.

• Lead by example, cultivate strong internal relationships by encouraging and inspiring SANDAG staff.

• Require SANDAG staff to treat Community Planning Group recommendations with respect. Require SANDAG staff to drop their smug, superior attitude toward citizen recommendations.

• Support an environment for employee innovation, creativity, and success.

• Support and respect the professionalism of staff.

• SANDAG historically has had a very strong focus on working collaboratively with Mexico, driven by the fact that our regional economies are intricately interdependent. SANDAG works diligently on these issues through the Borders Committee, but underpinning the Borders Committee deliberations, must be a leader who can speak Spanish, culturally understand cultural differences between Mexico and the US, forge working relationships with MX officials at the local, state, and federal level, and project a sense of empathy and trust worthiness as it pertains to working on large complex infrastructure projects. I hope that we can find a new SANDAG Executive Director with such qualities.


POSITION DESCRIPTION The draft position description has been revised to reflect the themes most commonly noted throughout stakeholder and community engagement activities.

OVERVIEW SANDAG is a legislatively created regional government agency that serves as the forum for regional decision-making. SANDAG is governed by a Board of Directors composed of mayors, councilmembers, and county supervisors from each of the region’s 19 local governments. Supplementing these voting members are advisory representatives from Imperial County, the U.S. Department of Defense, Caltrans, San Diego Unified Port District, Metropolitan Transit System, North County Transit District, San Diego County Water Authority, Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association, and Mexico. Policy Advisory Committees assist the Board of Directors in carrying out the agency’s work program. These include the Executive Committee, Transportation Committee, Regional Planning Committee, Borders Committee, Public Safety Committee, and Audit Committee.

The SANDAG Board of Directors is responsible for creating public policy on significant regional issues such as growth, transportation, environmental management, housing, open space, air quality, energy, fiscal management, economic development, and public safety. SANDAG serves as the federally designated metropolitan planning organization and Regional Transportation Commission for the region. SANDAG builds consensus, develops strategic plans, obtains and allocates resources, constructs infrastructure, and provides information on a broad range of topics pertinent to the San Diego region’s quality of life.

POSITION SUMMARY Under policy direction from the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will plan, direct, manage, administer, and review the activities and operations of SANDAG; coordinate services and activities among SANDAG departments, the Board of Directors, Policy Advisory Committees, member agencies, and outside organizations; provide highly responsible and complex executive support to the Board of Directors; and provide supervision to executives, management, professional, technical, and administrative support staff, either directly or through subordinates.

JOB DUTIES • Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for SANDAG programs, projects, and services.

• Position SANDAG as a regional leader and represent the agency to various Boards, Councils, Commissions, elected officials, international government representatives (i.e. Mexico), community service organizations, and other public groups, which includes responding to, negotiating, and resolving sensitive, significant, and controversial issues.

• In coordination with the Board and staff, direct, plan, and manage the development and implementation of agency goals, objectives, policies, and priorities that align with regional needs.

SANDAG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

POSITION DESCRIPTION

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• Ensure SANDAG delivers services to communicates with the public and member agencies in a straightforward and transparent manner, provides an efficient and effective services, manner and strives to identify improvements and implement necessary changes.

• Oversee and monitor the fiscal integrity of SANDAG, seek funding opportunities that align to regional priorities, and ensure the agency maintains a positive financial position.

• Prepare and present written, oral, and visual reports to the Board of Directors, Policy Advisory Committees and working groups, outside agencies and organizations, and/or community stakeholders.

• Maintain day-to-day responsibility for the administrative functions and responsibilities delegated by the Board of Directors; recommend policies and procedures accordingly; ensure accountability for staff performance.

• Oversee a variety of organizational or operational plans, studies, investigations, audits, and reviews; and recommend modifications to SANDAG programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.

• Provide executive support and act as an adviser to the Board of Directors and Policy Advisory Committees.

COMPETENCIES Create Vision and Purpose Communicates a clear, compelling, and inspired vision for the San Diego region’s future that is shared by all a large majority of stakeholders and equitably serves the diverse needs of communities; can accurately anticipate future trends and consequences and acts as a catalyst for organizational and regional change; is adept at understanding and communicating context, factoring in the economic, social, and political environment.

Strategic Leadership Demonstrates wisdom, logical foresight, and broad thinking and to guides the actions and decision-making processes for the entire organization; formulates objectives and priorities, and implements plans consistent with the long-term interest of the organization and for the region at large; political acumen; positions SANDAG for ongoing success by identifying new opportunities; understands and scans the external environment for factors that could affect the organization’s performance and functioning.

Collaborate with Partners and Stakeholders Effective at building productive, long-term relationships; Ddeliberate and resourceful about seeking a wide and diverse range of perspectives; demonstrates openness, fairness, and flexibility to forge consensus and improve outcomes; champions equitable policies and promotes environmental justice; is sensitive to how people and organizations function and can effectively maneuver complex political situations; is able to negotiate effective, win-win solutions while managing expectations; is culturally competent.

Achieve Results Mobilizes and manages resources to deliver the agency and region’s priorities; considers context, risks, and business intelligence to support high-quality and timely decisions and is fiscally responsible; anticipates, plans, and monitors progress, adjusting when needed; demonstrates accountability and uses effective oversight methods; takes responsibility for actions and outcomes.

Promote Innovation and Guide Change Possesses the courage and resilience to challenge convention; is intellectually agile and demonstrates forward-thinking; fosters a culture of bold thinking and innovation and eliminates barriers that stifle creativity, both within and outside the agency; creates a respectful, collaborative, and trusting work environment and encourages the expression of diverse opinions.



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Manage Performance Inspires and motivates people they lead and creates opportunities for them to do their best work; provides constructive and respectful feedback to encourage and enable performance excellence; champions and highlights the strategic importance of ongoing development and learning among employees; fosters an environment of open communication between all individualsemployees and leadership within the organization.

Integrity, Respect, and Trust Exemplifies ethical practices, professionalism, and integrity; is widely trusted and interacts with others using a straightforward, and honest, and transparent approach; can only presents the truth in an appropriate and helpful way; supports agency values and beliefs and acts in line with those values; demonstrates humility.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Any equivalent combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be: Fifteen years of increasingly responsible supervisory and management experience in public or private sector. City or county management experience is highly desirable. A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, transportation, engineering, public or business administration, or a related field. A Master’s degree is highly desirable.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS Regional Governance Familiar with the characteristics of federal, state, regional, and local government entities and how they function; facilitates consensus and brings together representatives from more than 20 local jurisdictions with competing needs to cooperate on a regional basis; provides complex, executive-level support to a large Board of Directors.

Local Trends and Issues Knowledgeable about current and pending trends, issues, and events affecting the San Diego region related to growth, multimodal transportation, land use, climate change, environmental management, housing, open space, air quality, energy, fiscal management, economic development, and public safety.

Laws, Policies, and Regulations Effectively interprets and applies federal, state, and local laws, codes, policies, procedures, and regulations relevant to SANDAG programs, services, and operational areas.

Funding Sources Knowledgeable about federal, state, and local funding sources used for regional programs, services, and operations; coordinates with legislative representatives to pursue policy changes and funding opportunities.

Working Relationships Establishes, maintains, and fosters effective working relationships with the Board of Directors, other elected officials, employees, representatives from Caltrans, MTS, NCTD, binational and inter-regional agencies, other partner organizations, community groups, and residents.

Political Savvy Exercises discretion and political acumen in dealing with complex, sensitive, and confidential issues, and conflicting agendas and positions.

Management Practices Demonstrates leadership expertise with organizational and management practices used for resource allocation, strategic planning, and internal control in a public agency environment; fosters a culture of fiscal responsibility, accountability, and continuous improvement.



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Goal Setting Incorporates innovation, forward-thinking, and sound judgment in developing, implementing, and administering goals, objectives, and procedures for planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating programs, services, and operations.

Supervision Effectively directs the work of executive, management, and professional personnel; delegates authority and responsibility; hires and retains employees with the professionalism, skills, and expertise required for successful job performance; trains, develops, and mentors employees and fosters a culture of professional growth and development; and manages performance.

Fiscal Management Knowledgeable about economics, financial planning, and fiscal policies; Kknowledgeable of the principles and practices used for government budget preparation and control; administers large and complex budgets; allocates limited resources in a cost-effective manner.

Communication Outstanding written and oral presentation skills; eEffectively communicates with a variety of audiences in an open, honest, and transparent manner; actively listens, asks questions, and considers diverse viewpoints; demonstrates compassion and builds trust; outstanding written and oral presentation skills; prepares and presents clear and concise management and administrative reports; Spanish language skills are highly desirable.

Problem Solving Analyzes problems, identifies alternative solutions using critical and scientific, evidence-based thinking, projects consequences of proposed actions, and implements recommendations in support of organization goals; successfully manages and implements

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