January 2026, Volume 2, Issue 2
Hello, and welcome! The Public Works Press is the Department of Public Works quarterly newsletter where we will highlight the people and projects in our Department.
In this Issue:
2025 in the Rearview
The Road Maintenance Unit, in addition to the annual Vegetation Abatement Program—which helps to keep the county safe by mitigating fire risk—also provided maintenance and repairs to all county-maintained roads and drainage systems. They also completed 2 channel maintenance projects, 11 bank stabilization/slip-out repairs, and 24 culvert replacements.
The Fleet and Vehicles Maintenance Unit provided replacements, or preventative maintenance and repairs for over 1,900 county-owned vehicles and equipment.
The Road Operations Unit, on top of the countless requests and reviews regarding stop signs, parking restrictions, speed studies, and traffic calming, signals, and other traffic operations, also:
- Received nearly 1,700 encroachment permit applications
- Issued 1,230 encroachment permits
- Received 259 building applications
- Reviewed 243 building applications
- Received 70 PLN applications
- Reviewed 51 PLN applications (most require multiple reviews!)
What are PLN Applications?
Planning applications are typically for larger projects such as a subdivision (or other projects where a planning permit is mandated for the proposed use or development by the zoning ordinance). DPW reviews the applications to ensure that proposed improvements and landscaping in the public right of way meet County adopted road standards for the area, such as curb, sidewalk and gutter, driveway approaches and profile, and sight distance.
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Division Spotlight: Victorino Meneses
 We are excited to spotlight Victorino, who joined the County on June 9, 2025. Since day one, he has been a tremendous asset to our department.
Before joining us, Victorino worked as an automotive technician at Putnam Mazda in Burlingame for seven years, where he refined his technical expertise and problem-solving skills. His extensive knowledge has already made a significant impact—helping us keep our vehicles expertly serviced and repaired with efficiency and care.
A proud fan of the Golden State Warriors, Victorino brings that same team spirit into the workplace. He is known for always wearing a smile and being ready to help anyone who needs it.
Outside of work, Victorino enjoys a variety of hobbies. He is a dedicated foodie who loves exploring all kinds of delicious cuisines. When he’s not discovering new eats, he enjoys playing basketball in his spare time.
Victorino has been happily married for 32 years and is the proud father of a daughter who graduated from UC Santa Barbara and now works at Stanford.
We are grateful to have Victorino on our team—his positivity, experience, and willingness to help make a meaningful difference every day. Welcome, and thank you for all you do!
Photo Gallery
Facilities Maintenance & Operations using a boom lift to identify and repair roof leaks at Cal Fire Station #58
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Facilities Maintenance & Operations team relocating and installing the photos identifying past and present Boards of Supervisor members
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Facilities Maintenance & Operations team provides setup and teardown for many County sponsored events including this annual Christmas celebration at the North Fair Oaks Second Avenue parking lot
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Facilities Maintenance & Operations assisted in setting up the San Carlos Airport Hangar for Employee Recognition
Maps and Survey
In July, the Maps and Survey Team bade farewell as their previous vehicle, in service since 2001 (and showing its age), entered retirement, and welcomed a new, customized Chevy 2500 truck for transporting field survey equipment and supplies.
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The new Maps & Survey truck features storage for survey equipment
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The Survey Team also received two Trimble S7 total stations, a type of surveying instrument for measuring angles and distances, to replace additional old and outdated equipment.
The new equipment and new truck will help expand the survey section's capabilities and allow for safer and more efficient surveys.
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Adrian VerHagen, County Surveyor, expressed his pleasure with the acquisitions:
“It's been a long time in the making, but now that it's all here I couldn't be more pleased! We now have the right survey equipment, and the right truck to safely transport our crew and our gear. Thank you to all who were involved in making these acquisitions possible."
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The Admin Services Division embarked on a new engagement exercise in 2025. The Neighborhood Exploration event is an opportunity to learn about the communities and neighborhoods that we serve, and to view the infrastructure Public Works constructs and maintains. Admin Services staff was divided into teams and each team researched an assigned Supervisorial District. In this issue, we cover Districts 3 and 5.
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District 3
The District 3 Team included Rosalita Fernandes, Jimmy Nguyen, Gary Battaglia, Gina Luiz, Joseph Padilla, Rosalita Fernandes, and Manon Patterson. They visited the Pulgas Water Temple, the Mirada Pedestrian Bridge, and the Half Moon Bay Airport.
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The Pulgas Water Temple was built as a monument to the engineering marvel that brought Hetch Hetchy water more than 160 miles across California from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Bay Area.
The Mirada Pedestrian Bridge is one of the largest aluminum standing bridges, engineered to withstand foot traffic, bicyclists, and the coastal weather it will be subjected to in Half Moon Bay. Its construction was a $4.7 million project, spearheaded by the DPW Engineering division.
The District 3 Team got an amazing tour of the Half Moon Bay Airport from Gretchen Kelly, who manages both the San Carlos and Half Moon Bay Airports.
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On the tour, they saw the office spaces, hangars, the runway, and a farming plot that found its home between landing strips! They ended the tour with lunch at the Half Moon Bay Pilot Café.
The Half Moon Bay Airport is home to approximately 80 aircraft and several aviation related businesses.
Did you know?
The Half Moon Bay Airport is on a 100-year lease from the FAA to the County for $1.
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District 3 Team on the Half Moon Bay Runway: (Left to Right) Joseph Padilla, Manon Patterson, Jimmy Nguyen, Rosalita Fernandes, Gina Luiz, Gary Battaglia, Kevin Fehr
District 5
The District 5 Team included Phillip Debord, Victor Lam, Isaac Molina, and Heather Oda. They visited San Bruno Mountain Park, Brisbane Community Park, Brisbane Quarry Park, the Cow Palace, and the 7 Mile House.
Here’s what they learned on their day out:
San Bruno Mountain Park’s 2,416 acres boast outstanding views of San Francisco and Central Bay Area, and are open for a variety of activities, including camping, bicycling, horseback riding, and hiking. The area is also home to a number of threatened and endangered flora and fauna, including several butterfly species.
The Cow Palace opened in 1941 to host animal and livestock shows, and is home to the annual Grand National Rodeo. The venue also hosts a variety of other events, including music and family entertainment.
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7 Mile House was originally built circa 1858 as a toll gate, approximately seven miles from Portsmouth Square, and by 1876 was operating as a Mile House, a horse and stagecoach equivalent of truck stops today, where horses and their riders or drivers rested.
It is the last Mile House in the Bay Area to still operate at its original location, despite its colorful history as a speakeasy, an illegally operated bar during Prohibition. In the 1980s, the site was even raided by the FBI for illegal horse racing and sports gambling!
Today, the site hosts live music, and a dog-friendly restaurant.
District 5 Team: (Left to Right) Phillip Debord, Victor Lam, Isaac Molina, Kevin Fehr, Heather Oda
 The 2025 Employee Recognition lunch was held on November 6, at the San Carlos Airport. To pair with the tropical travel theme, the lunch featured a Hawaiian menu, and while no flying was necessary to reach our destination, a paper plane contest helped capture the spirit of the theme and the venue.
Here are the recipients of this year's awards:
Above and Beyond Awards
Administrative Services: Jack Herrerias
Jack is in our Business Systems Services section, and he is always responsive and willing to help. He is willing to learn and provide the best service that he possibly can. Jack is very reliable and has a very good attitude. He is very consistent in providing customer service and always comes through in a bind. Thank You, Jack, for the outstanding service that you provide to everyone in DPW! |
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Airports: Clarence Chan
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Clarence has gone above and beyond in supporting the Airports Division during its transition to the new Airport Cardkey System. He mastered the system’s technical and administrative functions and became a go-to resource. Clarence’s outstanding customer service has been central to the success of this transition. Through his initiative, problem-solving, and collaborative approach, Clarence contributed to the smooth rollout of the Airport Cardkey System. His efforts exemplify the spirit of the Above and Beyond Award. |
Engineering & Resource Protection: Edward Nacpil
Edward consistently goes above and beyond in his role. He has been an incredible asset to the construction management team, stepping in as a temporary Project Manager and taking on key responsibilities. He leads by example, always putting in hard work and showing a strong commitment to the success of the project. His reliability, leadership, and dedication make a lasting impact, and it’s clear that Edward is an essential part of our team’s success. |
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Road Services: Mario Perez
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Mario is part of the Road Maintenance – Bayside section. He provides outstanding support for the team. Mario is reliable and he keeps operations running smoothly. Mario anticipates needs, provides updates from the field, and communicates priorities to the team. Mario’s consistency, ability to support the crew in every way possible, and his dedication to helping supervisors and managers succeed make him an essential part of our operation. |
Facilities & Capital Projects: Roxanne Maquiñana
As a Program Services Manager, Roxanne’s responsibilities include initiating and maintaining contracts for the Facilities team. She regularly goes above and beyond expectations of the position to help the Facilities team and DPW. She never passes on an opportunity to step up and help. Roxanne finds ways to make things easier like creating improved tools and systems to help the workflow. Roxanne is a tremendous asset to the team and the County as a whole. |
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Best Collaboration
Crafts Team, Health & Hospital (Danny Corbelli, Todd Southern, Randal Burch, Zane Hovermale)
Throughout the San Mateo Medical Center and Cordilleras Mental Health Center projects, the Crafts Team for Health and Hospital continued to provide excellent customer and contractor support. They handle logistics, inspections, relocation of storage areas, and fire alarms and floods. They work together smoothly and deal with everything that is thrown their way demonstrating their teamwork. Thank you, Todd Southern, Randal Burch, Zane Hovermale and Danny Corbelli for your effort, patience, and input.
Crafts Team, Health & Hospital: (Left to Right) Phil Krenn, Danny Corbelli, Todd Southern, Randal Burch (Not pictured: Zane Hovermale)
MVP
Leo Chow
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When Leo’s name comes up, many colleagues can agree that there’s one word that can be associated with him and any type of work he does – excellent. Leo’s “work hard, play hard” attitude brings the team together and promotes a positive work environment. Leo’s quality of work is commendable. He is a well-rounded engineer that can easily figure out a solution, yet he always remains open to input. To many, Leo is the glue that helps the Department stick together. |
Longtime DPW Employee, Director Ann M. Stillman, will be retiring
Last year, longtime Department of Public Works (Department) employee and current Director, Ann M. Stillman, announced her upcoming retirement at the end of March 2026.
Ann began her career with the County in 1987 as an extra help Senior Engineering Aide, after graduating from college. She has been involved with and led many important efforts in the Department, including high-profile projects such as the Crystal Springs Dam Bridge Replacement Project, which took decades to plan, permit, design and construct.
Ann is a native of the County of San Mateo, and while the decision to retire was not easy, she looks forward to having more time for her other life interests. Ann will be working with the Department and the County Executive’s Office to ensure a smooth transition.
When asked to reflect on her time in the Department, Ann said “My career at the County has been amazing and filled with interesting and challenging work, collaboration, noteworthy experiences, learnings, public engagement, building relationships, and more, but the relationships with our DPW team have been most rewarding!”
Thank you, Ann, for your service and leadership for the past 38 years, and congratulations on your retirement!
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Ann Stillman and Zone 4 Team at Employee Recognition
Familiar Faces in New Roles
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Juan Oliva
Congratulations to Juan Oliva on his promotion to Road Maintenance Supervisor in the Roads Division! He previously held the role of Construction Carpenter/Mason.
Juan has been an outstanding and indispensable member of our team for 29 years, constantly demonstrating dedication and expertise in maintaining and enhancing our county's roadways. His promotion to Supervisor is a true testament to his hard work, leadership, and the positive impact he has had on our community's infrastructure.
Please join us in celebrating Juan's well-deserved achievement. We look forward to his continued contributions and leadership in his new role. Let's all extend our support and best wishes to him as he embarks on this exciting new challenge.
Congratulations, Juan!
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Gretchen Kelly
Congratulations to Gretchen Kelly on her promotion to Deputy Director of Public Works of the Airports Division! She previously held the role of Airport Manager.
A Bay Area native, Gretchen began her career with DPW Airports in 1998, left in 2000 for a time, and returned in 2012 as Airport Manager. She holds a bachelor’s degree in aviation management from San Jose State University—where she currently teaches aviation courses on her days off—and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California.
Gretchen herself is a private pilot, and enjoys backcountry flying in Northern California, Alaska, and Idaho.
She has a daughter, ten siblings, and 44 nieces and nephews.
Gerardo Hernandez
Congratulations to Gerardo Hernandez on his promotion to Construction Carpenter/Mason in the Roads Division! He previously held the role of Road Maintenance Worker.
For nearly a decade, Gerardo has served as a dedicated and highly valued member of our team. His consistent professionalism, strong work ethic, and technical expertise have significantly contributed to the maintenance and improvement of our county’s road infrastructure. His promotion is a well-deserved recognition of his outstanding service and the positive impact he has had on both our department and the broader community.
Please join us in extending heartfelt congratulations to Gerardo on this significant career milestone. We look forward to his continued contributions and leadership in this new role.
Congratulations, Gerardo!
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Matthew Petrofsky
Congratulations to Matthew Petrofsky on his promotion to Senior C/CAG Program Specialist! He previously held the role of Resource Conservation Specialist.
Matt is a Senior Program Specialist and will be working on a host of transportation and energy related projects. He comes to us from the County Sustainability Department, where he spent nine years working on waste reduction, fleet electrification, greenhouse gas emissions tracking, and greening employee commutes.
Matt has lived in the Bay Area for most of his life. He loves basketball—both playing and watching it (go dubs!). He also enjoys riding and tinkering with his many bicycles.
Michael Byrne
Congratulations to Michael Byrne on his promotion to Airport Manager in the Airports Division! He previously held the role of Assistant Airport Manager.
Michael first joined the County in 2014 and, in addition to his time with County Airports, has also worked at both SJC and SFO. He brings more than 15 years of aviation experience, including airline operations and airfield operations, and we look forward to the continued expertise and leadership he brings to our team.
His hobbies include billiards, barbecuing, and working on home improvement projects.
Michael’s office is located at the San Carlos Airport. Drop by and say hello!
Molly Ortiz
Welcoming back Molly Ortiz in her new position as Administrative Assistant in the Airports Division! She previously held the same role in the Project Development Unit at the County Executive's Office.
She is an integral part of our administrative team.
Molly was born and raised in the Bay Area, and has proudly served the County of San Mateo for more than 20 years across Revenue Services, Public Works, and the County Executive’s Office.
She loves making the most of life with family and friends, whether it’s exploring local trails, trying new restaurants, or catching a great movie.
Her future goals include traveling the world, and retiring young 😊
Boston Palacios
Congratulations to Boston Palacios on obtaining permanent status in his Office Assistant position in the Administrative Services Division!
Boston started in Public Works on March 24, 2025, as an Office Assistant II-Extra Help in Clerical Services at the front desk at 555 County Center, 5th floor. He is a permanent Office Assistant II in Clerical Services as of Monday, August 4th. Since joining Public Works, Boston has quickly learned about our Department as he fields telephone calls and walk-ins at the front desk. He provides excellent customer service to the public and staff. We appreciate his work ethic and willingness to take on new projects.
We look forward to continuing to work with Boston and having him on our team. Congratulations, Boston!
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Sargam Bhatta Lama
Congratulations to Sargam Bhatta Lama on obtaining permanent status as Fiscal Office Specialist position in the Administrative Services Division!
Before joining DPW, Sargam worked in Information Technology Services for the San Mateo Community College District, and gained valuable experience as an Account Manager at Tidal.
Sargam enjoys soccer: not only is he a diehard Futbol Club Barcelona fan (Visca Barça!), he also tries to get on the field himself whenever he can. He also loves traveling and exploring new places—he’s always planning his next adventure!
He shares a picture with his mom from his hometown. He's been to the base camp of this mountain behind him; it is the 10th highest mountain in the world!
We are excited to have Sargam join us. He is sitting across from Shelly's cubicle, both in front of the snack table. If you haven't met him yet, you are welcome to stop by to say hello and introduce yourself.
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Samuel Auelua
A warm welcome to Samuel Auelua in his new position of Construction Inspector in the Road Operations Section of the Roads Division!
He comes to us from the City of San Jose, where he worked for over five years in land surveying.
Samuel spends most weekends going to sporting events, or exploring new food spots. He also loves to travel internationally, and already has plans for a trip to Japan next year! His favorite candies are Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Samuel works at Grant Yard in the Construction Inspectors office, please swing by to introduce yourself and say hello!
Oscar Calvo
A warm welcome to Oscar Calvo in his new position of Utility Worker in the Building Services Section of the Facilities Division!
Oscar loves socializing, especially spending time with his friends and family. He also enjoys car racing, and even has his own car that he takes to racetracks and track strips over the weekends!
Devin Massanti
A warm welcome to Devin Massanti in his new position of Associate Civil Engineer in the Design & Construction Section of the Engineering Division!
He comes from Santa Clara Valley Water District, where he worked for four years in construction management managing capital projects.
Devin was born and raised right here in the Bay Area. He enjoys hiking, camping, and fishing around the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. He started learning Portuguese last year, and is brushing up on his Italian for an upcoming trip. He’s also a 49ers fan.
Devin is currently seated near the service elevator, please swing by to introduce yourself and say hello!
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Alejandro Barrera
A warm welcome to Alejandro Barrera in his new Extra Help position of Utility Worker at the San Mateo Medical Center as part of the Facilities Division!
Santiago Hernandez
A warm welcome to Santiago Hernandez in his new position of Stationary Engineer in Zone 3 of the Facilities Division!
Arnulfo Mendez
A warm welcome to Arnulfo Mendez in his new position of Stationary Engineer at the San Mateo Medical Center as part of the Facilities Division!
James Turla
A warm welcome to James Turla in his new position of Stationary Engineer in Zone 3 of the Facilities Division!
Richard Tellez
A warm welcome to Richard Tellez in his new position of Stationary Engineer at the San Mateo Medical Center as part of the Facilities Division!
Ricardo Amescua
A warm welcome to Ricardo Amescua in his new position of Airport Maintenance Worker in the Airports Division!
Ricardo is a skilled carpenter by trade and enjoys hands-on work and problem solving.
He enjoys hiking—especially along the coast near Montara—and spending time at the beach. Ricardo also likes figuring things out around the house, and working on home improvement projects. He loves being a dad, and taking his daughter to soccer tournaments.
Raymond Han
A warm welcome to Raymond Han in his new position of Associate Civil Engineer in the Design & Construction Section of the Engineering Division!
Raymond has a bachelor’s degree from UC San Diego in Structural Engineering, a master’s degree from UCLA in Civil Engineering, and brings over 8 years of experience in civil engineering from the private sector.
During his time in Southern California, he spent a few years performing in weekly improv comedy shows!
We are excited to have Raymond join us and look forward to his contributions to our Department. He sits at the aisle near the back elevator. Please stop by and say hello!
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Vikash Anand
A warm welcome to Vikash Anand in his new Extra Help position of Utility Worker at the San Mateo Medical Center as part of the Facilities Division!
Danny Joseph Corbelli
A warm welcome to Daniel Joseph Corbelli in his new Extra Help position of Utility Worker at the San Mateo Medical Center on the Crafts Team as part of the Facilities Division!
Prior to joining the County, Danny worked in the banking industry and has several years of experience maintaining properties.
Danny is currently enrolled at San Francisco State University and is majoring in English Education, with the goal of becoming a Professor of Literature. He is currently on track to receive his bachelor’s degree in May of 2026.
He has a cat named Beatrice, who may be the sweetest tabby cat ever.
Danny is an avid walker, and enjoys walking pretty much anywhere, though he spends most of his time along our coastline. In addition to walking, Danny goes to the gym daily.
He also enjoys reading classical literature and listening to audio books.
Mike Clement
A warm welcome to Mike Clement in his new position of Associate Engineer in the Design & Construction Section of the Engineering Division!
Mike has a bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in Civil Engineering and brings 7 years of experience in civil engineering from the private sector.
A fun fact about Mike – He is a fan of the San Francisco Giants and San Jose Sharks, and he has seen two total solar eclipses.
We are excited to have Mike join us and look forward to his contributions to our Department. He sits at the aisle near the back elevator. Please stop by and say hello!
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Jorge Ceron
A warm welcome to Jorge Ceron in his new position of Road Maintenance Worker in the Road Operations Section of the Roads Division!
Jorge is from the Redwood City area. Before joining DPW, Jorge worked as a carpenter in the private sector for 10 years!
He loves spending time with his family and going camping with them in the summer, as well as visiting different beaches.
Jorge works at Grant Yard, please swing by to introduce yourself and say hello!
Helen Zhang
A warm welcome to Helen Zhang in her new Extra Help position of Office Assistant for the Card Key Section of the Administrative Services Division!
She previously worked for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.
Helen is from the San Francisco Bay Area, and is completing her Electrical Engineering degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Here are some fun facts about Helen:
- She only drinks tea
- She is an amateur radio operator
Helen works at 555 County Center on the 5th floor. Please swing by to introduce yourself and say hello!
Kim Comstock
A warm welcome to Kim Comstock in her new position of Program Director for the County Express Lanes Joint Powers Authority, as part of the City/County Association of Government!
Kim is deeply passionate about improving transportation options for the community, and has spent many years working on mobility and transportation initiatives in San Mateo County. She is excited to support the continued success of the Express Lanes!
Kim also loves hiking and exploring with her family on weekends, and she enjoys discovering new local restaurants and coffee spots.
Casey Hull
A warm welcome to Casey Hull in their new Extra Help position of Office Assistant in the Administrative Services Division!
Born and raised in unincorporated San Mateo County, Casey is thrilled to be here. Casey graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a double major in Economics and Game Design, and is currently taking additional computer science classes at the College of San Mateo.
In their free time, Casey enjoys playing games, solving puzzles, engaging with fiction across all media types, and dabbling in crochet and gardening.
Casey is at the front desk in Clerical Services; please take a moment to introduce yourself and welcome them to the Department!
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Stacey Becker
A warm welcome to Stacey Becker in her new Extra Help position of Fiscal Office Specialist in the Accounting Section of the Administrative Services Division!
She has previously worked for Stanford University, Sun Microsystems, Fujitsu America, and Comcast.
Stacey is from the Bay Area, but enjoys learning about the world—especially science and world history. Stacey has studied many different forms of dance from all over the world, including traditional women’s dances from the Middle East, the Balkans, North Africa, and Central Asia! She also enjoys watching and reading mysteries, fantasy, and science fiction.
Denis Boldyr
A warm welcome to Denis Boldyr in his new position of Information Technology Technician in the Administrative Services Division!
Denis comes from the University of California, Santa Cruz, as both a former student and Information Technology employee.
Denis was born and raised in Russia, and recently moved to the Bay Area; he is open to good food recommendations! He also enjoys riding his motorcycle in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Denis is located on the 5th floor across from the printer/copier room. Please feel free to drop by and say hello!
Nansee Kim-Parker
A warm welcome to Nansee Kim-Parker in her new position of Permit Technician in the Road Operations Section of the Roads Division!
Nansee graduated from San Jose State University with a bachelor’s degree in environmental health and safety engineering. She has over six years of experience at Stantec as a project/construction engineer, at the San Francisco Department of Public Works as a plan checker, and she comes to us after starting and running a family motorcycle business!
Nansee enjoys riding motorcycles, loves animals—especially cats and dogs—and is passionate about herbal tea.
Nansee sits with the permitting team at the Grant Yard office, please swing by to introduce yourself and say hello!
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Events
Wellness Walks
Join us at 555 County Center for our upcoming Wellness Walks!
February 19 @ 10 AM: walk led by Ann M. Stillman
March 18 @10 AM: walk led by Ann M. Stillman
April 16 @10 AM: walk led by Krzysztof Lisaj
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Trainings
Sign up for training in LMS!
February 5th @ 9AM-12 PM:
Admin Memo B-1 Training 2026
February 26th @ 10:30 AM-12 PM:
Foundational Equity Training: Cultivating More Equitable and Inclusive Communities
March 2, 9, and 11 @ 9 AM-4:45 PM:
Procurement Academy - March 2026
March 10 @ 11 AM-12 PM:
Community Impact Statement
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