The City Administrator’s Office is proud to share the latest update to the City of Oakland’s departmental leadership team. Josh Rowan will be assuming the role of Director of the City of Oakland Department of Transportation, effective April 15, 2024.
Director Rowan brings a rich set of leadership skills and experience to this role. He specializes in successful delivery of large transportation capital programs, paired with a proven record as an avid advocate of safety, equity, and mobility in transportation systems. He is a “relentless incrementalist” who believes the success of any transportation agency is built upon the foundation of excellence in maintenance and operations.
He brings to this role experience as highway contractor, consultant engineer and program manager, as well as public agency leadership. His private sector experience was focused on transportation in the eastern United States as well as Tanzania and Mozambique. He served as the City of Atlanta’s first commissioner of the Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT), where he stood up a new city department by consolidating technical resources from four different operating units.
Some of his achievements at ATLDOT included:
- Completion of major corridor improvements
- Implementation of smart school zone safety improvements
- Installation of traffic signal preemption for fire and EMS
- Development and implementation of $30M streetlight repair and expansion program
- Leadership of program development for Moving Atlanta Forward capital program ($400M) that was approved with nearly 80% support by popular referendum
- Investment in community engagement with a “walk and talk” program with community that walked more than 200 miles to address issues
- Development of strategies to minimize street racing and sideshow activity
- Implementation of e-scooter permit and enforcement process
“Safety is our business. Everyone should be able to move freely and safely throughout Oakland using their desired mode of transportation, no matter where they live,” Director Rowan said. He added, “All OakDOT team members deserve an organization that prioritizes their physical and mental wellbeing, creates opportunities for career growth, delivers on commitments, and enjoys our journey.”
Today’s announcement continues the growing stability of the City’s leadership team, building on recent leadership hires of a Deputy City Administrator and department heads for Economic and Workforce Development; Fire; Citywide Communications and Engagement; Violence Prevention; Housing and Community Development; Parks, Recreation and Youth Development; and Human Resources Management.