California Department of Transportation Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

California Department of Transportation has 9 executives leading key functions including executive strategy, legislative affairs, and transportation planning.

Committed to infrastructure excellence, California Department of Transportation advances safe, sustainable, and efficient mobility solutions across the state. This organization prioritizes long-term connectivity and public safety through rigorous engineering and policy development.

Leadership Roles at California Department of Transportation

  • Chief Executive Officer Ii - Sky Greytak
  • Chief Executive Officer Ii - Rob Naylor
  • Chief Executive Officer Ii - Erik Young
  • Chief Executive Officer Level Two - Carl Whitlock
  • Chief Executive Officer 2 - John Gilliam
  • Chief of Staff - Kelli Gessner
  • For Maintenance, Operations, Safety & Equipment Programs Chief of Staff (Acting) - Adriana Surfas
  • Legislative Affairs Chief of Staff - Angela Madison
  • Division of Transportation Planning Chief of Staff - Alison Nealon
  • Sky Greytak - Chief Executive Officer Ii

    Sky Greytak, the Chief Executive Officer Ii at California Department of Transportation, directs large-scale infrastructure development projects across the state. Overseeing capital improvement budgets, the Chief Executive Officer Ii ensures alignment with long-term mobility goals. This leadership role involves coordinating with regional planning agencies to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion. By implementing advanced project management frameworks, Sky Greytak drives efficiency in highway construction and maintenance cycles. The Chief Executive Officer Ii maintains rigorous oversight of fiscal resources, ensuring taxpayer funds support critical transit upgrades. Through strategic collaboration with state stakeholders, Greytak secures the necessary approvals for complex engineering initiatives. This executive focus remains on building resilient transportation networks that support economic growth and public safety throughout California, ultimately delivering high-impact infrastructure solutions that modernize the state transit landscape.

    Rob Naylor - Chief Executive Officer Ii

    Rob Naylor, the Chief Executive Officer Ii at California Department of Transportation, manages environmental compliance and sustainability initiatives for all state transit projects. Overseeing regulatory adherence, the Chief Executive Officer Ii ensures that infrastructure development meets stringent ecological standards. This leadership role involves integrating green technology into highway systems to minimize carbon footprints. By spearheading sustainable design practices, Rob Naylor drives the adoption of eco-friendly materials in road construction. The Chief Executive Officer Ii coordinates with environmental agencies to mitigate project impacts on local ecosystems. Through rigorous policy enforcement, Naylor guarantees that all transportation expansions align with state climate mandates. This executive focus remains on balancing rapid infrastructure growth with environmental stewardship, ultimately fostering a sustainable future for the California transportation network while maintaining high operational standards across diverse regional landscapes.

    Erik Young - Chief Executive Officer Ii

    Erik Young, the Chief Executive Officer Ii at California Department of Transportation, governs internal operations and organizational performance metrics. Overseeing administrative efficiency, the Chief Executive Officer Ii streamlines workflows across various departments to enhance productivity. This leadership role involves optimizing resource allocation to support the broader mission of the California Department of Transportation. By implementing data-driven management systems, Erik Young drives improvements in internal communication and project tracking. The Chief Executive Officer Ii collaborates with other executive leaders to refine operational strategies that support statewide transit goals. Through consistent monitoring of performance indicators, Young ensures that organizational objectives remain on track. This executive focus remains on building a high-performing culture that prioritizes operational excellence, ultimately strengthening the internal foundation required to deliver reliable and safe transportation services to the public.
    Erik Young

    Carl Whitlock - Chief Executive Officer Level Two

    Carl Whitlock, the Chief Executive Officer Level Two at California Department of Transportation, manages public-private partnerships and external stakeholder relations. Overseeing contract negotiations, the Chief Executive Officer Level Two ensures that private sector collaborations provide maximum value for state infrastructure projects. This leadership role involves fostering relationships with industry leaders to accelerate the delivery of critical transit improvements. By structuring complex agreements, Carl Whitlock drives innovation in project financing and delivery models. The Chief Executive Officer Level Two coordinates with legal and procurement teams to mitigate risks associated with large-scale construction contracts. Through proactive engagement with external partners, Whitlock secures the necessary support for long-term transportation initiatives. This executive focus remains on leveraging private sector expertise to enhance public infrastructure, ultimately expanding the capacity and quality of the California transportation system through strategic and collaborative business alliances.

    John Gilliam - Chief Executive Officer 2

    John Gilliam, the Chief Executive Officer 2 at California Department of Transportation, directs technology integration and digital transformation across the department. Overseeing the modernization of traffic management systems, the Chief Executive Officer 2 ensures that data analytics drive smarter infrastructure decisions. This leadership role involves deploying intelligent transportation systems to improve real-time traffic monitoring and incident response. By championing digital innovation, John Gilliam drives the adoption of advanced software solutions that enhance operational visibility. The Chief Executive Officer 2 collaborates with engineering teams to integrate smart sensors into existing road networks. Through strategic technology investments, Gilliam improves the reliability and safety of the state transit grid. This executive focus remains on leveraging cutting-edge digital tools to solve complex mobility challenges, ultimately creating a more responsive and efficient transportation environment for all California residents.

    Kelli Gessner - Chief of Staff

    Kelli Gessner, the Chief of Staff at California Department of Transportation, coordinates executive activities and facilitates communication across the leadership team. Overseeing daily operations, the Chief of Staff ensures that strategic priorities receive consistent attention from all departments. This leadership role involves managing the flow of information to the executive office to support informed decision-making. By aligning departmental goals with the overarching mission, Kelli Gessner drives organizational cohesion and focus. The Chief of Staff acts as a primary liaison between the executive team and various internal divisions, ensuring that directives translate into actionable tasks. Through meticulous planning and oversight, Gessner maintains the operational rhythm of the department. This executive focus remains on optimizing leadership effectiveness, ultimately ensuring that the California Department of Transportation functions as a unified entity dedicated to public service and infrastructure excellence.

    Adriana Surfas - For Maintenance, Operations, Safety & Equipment Programs Chief of Staff (Acting)

    Adriana Surfas, the For Maintenance, Operations, Safety & Equipment Programs Chief of Staff (Acting) at California Department of Transportation, directs the daily upkeep and safety protocols for the state highway system. Overseeing maintenance schedules, the For Maintenance, Operations, Safety & Equipment Programs Chief of Staff (Acting) ensures that road conditions meet rigorous safety standards. This leadership role involves managing equipment procurement and deployment to support field operations across diverse geographic regions. By prioritizing preventative maintenance, Adriana Surfas drives the longevity of critical transportation assets. The For Maintenance, Operations, Safety & Equipment Programs Chief of Staff (Acting) coordinates with regional field offices to address urgent repair needs and safety hazards. Through disciplined oversight of operational programs, Surfas maintains the integrity of the state transit network. This executive focus remains on ensuring safe and reliable travel conditions for the public, ultimately protecting the state investment in infrastructure.

    Angela Madison - Legislative Affairs Chief of Staff

    Angela Madison, the Legislative Affairs Chief of Staff at California Department of Transportation, manages government relations and policy advocacy at the state and federal levels. Overseeing legislative tracking, the Legislative Affairs Chief of Staff ensures that the department remains informed about regulatory changes impacting transportation funding. This leadership role involves drafting policy briefs and coordinating with lawmakers to secure support for infrastructure initiatives. By building strong relationships with legislative bodies, Angela Madison drives the advancement of key transportation bills. The Legislative Affairs Chief of Staff monitors political developments to anticipate shifts in funding priorities. Through strategic advocacy, Madison ensures that the department mission aligns with current legislative mandates. This executive focus remains on navigating the complex political landscape to secure resources and policy support, ultimately enabling the successful execution of long-term transportation projects across the state.

    Alison Nealon - Division of Transportation Planning Chief of Staff

    Alison Nealon, the Division of Transportation Planning Chief of Staff at California Department of Transportation, directs long-range planning efforts and regional mobility studies. Overseeing the development of comprehensive transportation plans, the Division of Transportation Planning Chief of Staff ensures that future infrastructure projects address projected population growth and travel demand. This leadership role involves analyzing demographic data and traffic patterns to inform strategic investment decisions. By facilitating collaboration between local and state planning entities, Alison Nealon drives the creation of integrated transit networks. The Division of Transportation Planning Chief of Staff manages the planning budget and project timelines to ensure alignment with state goals. Through rigorous analytical oversight, Nealon shapes the future of the California transportation landscape. This executive focus remains on proactive planning and sustainable development, ultimately ensuring that the state infrastructure evolves to meet the changing needs of the public.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding California Department of Transportation Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads California Department of Transportation?
    California Department of Transportation is led by Sky Greytak (Chief Executive Officer Ii), along with executives such as Rob Naylor (Chief Executive Officer Ii) and Erik Young (Chief Executive Officer Ii).
    Who is part of California Department of Transportation’s executive team?
    The executive team of California Department of Transportation includes leaders such as Sky Greytak (Chief Executive Officer Ii), Rob Naylor (Chief Executive Officer Ii), Erik Young (Chief Executive Officer Ii) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does California Department of Transportation have?
    California Department of Transportation has 9 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in California Department of Transportation’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of California Department of Transportation includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer Ii, Chief Executive Officer Ii, Chief Executive Officer Ii, Chief Executive Officer Level Two, Chief Executive Officer 2.