Ventura County Public Works Agency Announces Two New Department Directors

Anitha Balan, Director, Roads & Transportation and Jim O’Tousa, Director, Engineering Services. End Quote

Ventura, CA (1888PressRelease) July 28, 2023 - Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) recently announced two new Department Directors, both through internal promotions: Anitha Balan has been appointed to Director of Roads & Transportation, and Jim O' Tousa to Director of Engineering Services.

As Director of Roads & Transportation, Balan oversees the planning, designing, funding, building, operating, and maintaining the County Road System, approximately 542 centerline miles of roadway, along with bridges, drainage, and related transportation facilities, coordination of unincorporated area public transit needs, and provision of general transportation advice to the Board of Supervisors.

“I have truly enjoyed my journey with PWA & look forward to dedicating the rest of my career to bringing innovation & excellence within the agency. I have a great team that supports me & the agency’s mission to provide excellent service to the residents we serve, by continuously evolving & improving processes to be more efficient & cost effective” said Balan. “We are excited to be on a path to get recognized as a top Public Works Agency in the country through accreditation at a national level”.

Balan has been with VCPWA for 23 years in a career marked by continuous growth and recognition. She joined the Agency in 2000 as an Engineer II and quickly advanced. First, as Engineering Manager II, later as Engineering Manager III, and in 2019, she achieved a significant milestone with her appointment as Deputy Director of Public Works and Manager of the Operations and Maintenance Division.

Balan has a Bachelor's and a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering and is a registered Civil Engineer in the State of California.

“We are thrilled that Anitha accepted the Director of Roads & Transportation (R&T) position. Her vast knowledge and expertise in R&T, her unwavering commitment to VCPWA and our Ventura County community, and her dedication to innovation and excellence ensure that she will successfully steer Roads & Transportation into the future." said David Fleisch, Assistant Director of Ventura County Public Works Agency.

Jim O'Tousa was promoted to Director of Engineering Services and will oversee various engineering services to clients within the County of Ventura organization and the public. Services include the capital program and project management, facilities contracting, land development, land surveying, and surveyor support.

“I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with such a talented and motivated team within the Public Works Agency as well as the entire County of Ventura family,” said O’Tousa. “I am feeling very blessed and excited for this new opportunity”.

O’Tousa has been an integral part of Engineering Services for an impressive span of 18 years. Before embarking on his career with Public Works, he diligently served as a geologist consultant to the County for a decade. His journey with VCPWA began in 2005 as an Engineering Geologist (Engineering Manager I), contributing his expertise to the Land Development Services. Through his unwavering dedication, he was subsequently promoted to Engineering Manager II. In 2019, he became Division Manager (Engineering Manager III), entrusted with managing the entire section.

O’Tousa boasts an impressive educational background, holding both Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Geology and a Master's of Business Administration. Moreover, he is a distinguished California registered Professional Geologist and Certified Engineering Geologist. His commitment to his profession extends beyond his work, as he generously serves as a subject matter expert for the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Furthermore, he serves as a Board member for EnviroCert International, Inc. This nonprofit organization champions the elevation of knowledge and conservation of the global environment through training and professional certifications.

"This was a well-deserved promotion for Jim, with an exemplary record in Engineering Services and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of VC residents; Jim will undoubtedly continue to play a pivotal role in driving PWA's mission to greater heights. We are celebrating his achievements and wishing him continued success in this new chapter of his professional journey", said Jeff Pratt, Public Works Agency Director.

About Ventura County Public Works Agency
VCPWA strives to deliver innovative, efficient, and cost-effective regional services that are essential to the health, safety, natural resources protection, and economic vitality of Ventura County and its residents. Established in 1954, VCPWA employs approximately 400 employees and consists of five departments: Central Services, Engineering Services, Roads & Transportation, Water & Sanitation, and Watershed Protection.

VCPWA continues to receive nationwide attention for its effective operations in improving, innovating, and ensuring projects for Ventura County’s unincorporated 572 miles of roads, watersheds, levees, bridges, infrastructures, water and sanitation facilities, and billing services.

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