After a nationwide search, the SANDAG Board of Directors announced on April 26, 2024, that it has appointed Mario Orso, the current Chief Deputy Director of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 11, as the new SANDAG Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Read more in the press release.
The CEO is a critical leadership position for the agency, responsible for guiding SANDAG in its work to connect the San Diego region with safe, innovative, and long-lasting solutions to life’s challenges.
Previous CEO Hasan Ikhrata, who led the agency from 2018 through 2023, left SANDAG on December 29, 2023.
SANDAG CEO Recruitment Process
Selecting a new CEO is a significant responsibility. At its meeting on October 13, 2023, the Board approved a workplan, including the creation of a six-member ad hoc CEO Recruitment Subcommittee. The Board also has retained CPS HR Consulting, a State of California Joint Powers Agency, to provide Executive Search Services for the recruitment.
SANDAG CEO Recruitment Subcommittee
The following Board members served on the Recruitment Subcommittee:
- For South County, Councilmember Jack Fisher from the City of Imperial Beach
- For East County, Mayor John Minto from the City of Santee
- For North County Inland, Councilmember Katie Melendez from the City of Vista, and
- For North County Coastal, Mayor Tony Kranz from the City of Encinitas
- For the City of San Diego, Council President Sean Elo-Rivera
- For the County of San Diego, Chairwoman Nora Vargas
Stakeholder Engagement and Public Outreach
CPS HR, the firm hired to conduct the CEO recruitment, coordinated stakeholder engagement and public outreach activities during November 2023. Input and feedback about the scope of responsibilities and priorities for the next CEO, as well as experience and key leadership competencies that are expected, were gathered through meetings and via a brief online survey. CPS HR prepared a summary report for the Board and the was input incorporated into the recruitment brochure used to advertise the position.
Interim CEO
On Friday, December 8, 2023, the Board appointed Coleen Clementson, one of SANDAG’s deputy CEOs, to serve as the interim CEO while the recruitment is conducted.
Recruitment Activities
Applications for the CEO position were accepted through Friday, February 23, 2024. Information about the position can be found on the CPS HR website. Direct any questions about the position or recruitment activities to Manager/Executive Recruiter Pam Derby at CPS HR Consulting, 916.471.3126 or pderby@cpshr.us.