The county’s regional planning agency has hired a top local transportation official as its new chief executive after a nationwide search that began this winter.
The San Diego Association of Governments announced Friday that its new leader will be Mario Orso, who was chief deputy director of the local district of the California Department of Transportation.
Orso’s hiring comes shortly after federal agents began examining the management practices of SANDAG, where a recent internal review found a glaring lack of oversight and disclosure over its troubled toll collection contracts .
Orso appears to meet the qualifications outlined by the SANDAG board when it launched the national search for a new executive director. They said they were looking for an expert in transportation and regional planning, capital development and operations.
“Our board is committed to selecting a proven leader with decades of experience to prioritize the needs of our community,” said County Supervisor Nora Vargas, who serves as board chair of SANDAG. “Mr. Orso is dedicated to the people of this region and has demonstrated his commitment by successfully building teams, completing major infrastructure projects and bringing hundreds of millions of dollars to the San Diego region.
Vargas also praised Orso as “forward-thinking, collaborative and fiscally responsible.”
He replaces Hasan Ikhrata, who resigned in December after five years as head of the regional planning agency. Since her resignation, Coleen Clementson, long-time head of SANDAG, has taken over as interim general manager.
Orso said he was honored to be selected for the position, which he will begin June 17. The board awarded him a three-year contract.
Ikhrata’s annual salary was $414,000 and Clementson’s was $380,000. Orso will receive $385,000.
“In partnership with the board, we will focus on our core mission and commitments to the people of the San Diego region,” Orso said. “With more than 200 projects underway, our partnerships will be more important than ever to get the most out of our investments to improve mobility, equity, security and our economy.
Orso will oversee more than 400 SANDAG employees and the agency’s $1.2 billion annual budget.
Orso has more than 32 years of experience with Caltrans, working his way up from a junior civil engineer position after earning a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University.
At Caltrans, he served as Corridor Project Director for the South County and Commerce Corridors, the District’s first Native American Liaison, and Chief of the Intergovernmental Review Service.
Last year, he was named interim director of Caltrans District 12 in Orange County.
The selection of a new general director by the SANDAG board of directors comes earlier than expected. Board officials previously said they planned to name a new leader in May.
SANDAG mainly focuses on transport and transit infrastructure. But he also studies air quality, clean energy, public health and housing.
Its board of directors includes representatives from San Diego County’s 18 cities and the county government.
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