RIVERSIDE, Calif. – With great recognition and congratulations, the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) announces that Executive Director Anne Mayer intends to retire from RCTC upon the selection of a new executive director in the spring of 2024.

“On behalf of all 33 RCTC Commissioners, I want to thank Anne Mayer for her incredible contribution to improving the transportation infrastructure throughout Riverside County,” said RCTC Chair and Lake Elsinore City Council Member Robert “Bob” Magee. “From the massive expansion of the 91 Freeway to the multiple interchanges we improved along the I-10 and I-15 corridors to the expansion of our Metrolink system, Anne has helped this Commission complete scores of projects and set in motion future improvements that will benefit our region for generations to come,” he said.

“As I look back on the last 18 years at RCTC, I am incredibly proud to have led a team of remarkable professionals who completed substantial transportation projects in Riverside County,” said RCTC Executive Director Anne Mayer. “I want to thank the Commission for their trust that allowed us to try new ideas and go after big projects, and we succeeded,” she said.

Mayer, a Professional Engineer with a civil engineering degree from Michigan State University, joined RCTC as Deputy Executive Director in May 2005 and was appointed Executive Director in 2007. Under Mayer’s leadership, RCTC continued to deliver promises made to Riverside County residents through the Measure A half-cent sales tax approved by Riverside County voters first in 1988 and again in 2002. Measure A funds regional and local transportation improvements and habitat conservation. Mayer ensured that transportation projects and programs safely connect Riverside County’s diverse communities while preserving the region’s natural landscapes.

Leading RCTC and its 81 staff, Mayer oversaw the completion of billions of dollars in transportation improvements to benefit the residents of Riverside County and the region’s economy. These projects include completing the Perris Valley Line, the first expansion of Metrolink service since 1994; the I-215 Bi-County Gap Closure Project; the I-15 Express Lanes Project; and the SR-91 Corridor Improvement Project. In 2022 alone, Mayer spearheaded the completion of five major projects, including the 91 Corridor Operations Project, the I-15 Railroad Canyon Road Interchange Project, the I-15 Interim Corridor Operations Project, the 60 Truck Lanes Project, and the I-215 Placentia Avenue Interchange. Not far behind, progress continues with the 15/91 Express Lane Connector, which is scheduled to open later this year, 71/91 Interchange Project currently under construction.

When RCTC became the managing agency of the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority (RCA) in 2021, Mayer led the effort to accelerate habitat conservation for 146 protected or endangered species in western Riverside County.

“It is my pleasure to honor Anne Mayer on the announcement of her pending retirement in 2024. When RCTC became the managing agency for the RCA, Anne’s leadership had an immediate calming effect on RCA’s work, and it helped the Board focus its efforts and resources on meeting our key goals,” said RCA Chair and Lake Elsinore Mayor Natasha Johnson. “On behalf of the RCA Board of Directors, I want to thank Anne for her tireless service to habitat conservation and wish her the very best in retirement. There is no doubt in my mind she will be missed,” she said.

While Mayer’s engineering background has helped problem-solve transportation and conservation projects, she has applied her expert knowledge to local, state, and federal policy decision-making to ensure that Riverside County receives its fair share of funding and that state and federal policies support RCTC’s work. Mayer’s efforts included discussions with elected and government officials in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., describing the vast and unique needs in Riverside County. This work resulted in millions of dollars in funding that helped complete projects on time and within budget.

Mayer’s distinguished career includes nearly 15 years with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), including three years as District 8 Deputy District Director for Design and four years as District 8 District Director, implementing transportation projects across Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

As a leading voice for transportation infrastructure improvements across inland Southern California for 40 years, Mayer’s dedicated work has earned her recognition, including the California Transportation Foundation’s Person of the Year award; the Orange County Chapter Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) Woman of the Year award and the Inland Empire WTS Woman of the Year award; and the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce presented Mayer with the Athena Award for demonstrated professional achievement, community service, and mentorship.

“I have had a very fulfilling career, and I am proud of our accomplishments. I am confident the RCTC team will continue to build upon the Commission’s legacy of excellence in the months and years ahead,” Mayer said.