"She is looking forward to serving the Department in this position

Rachel Falsetti

and is committed to furthering partnering efforts in construction," said Caltrans Chief Engineer Karla Sutliffe in an internal Caltrans e-mail sent June 11 announcing the appointment.

Prior to coming to the Division of Construction earlier this year, Falsetti held the position of Chief of the Division of Transportation Programming since February of 2007, where she was responsible for programming state and federal transportation funds. This entailed funding of over 5.0 billion worth or transportation projects each year.

She is a licensed civil engineer and has been with the Department for 29 years, serving in various management positions. She has held management positions in Construction, Operations, Project Management, Planning and Local Assistance, and Design. She also worked as part of the Toll Bridge Group specifically on the new bay bridge project.

Falsetti began her career at Caltrans as an employee in Structure Construction. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1986.

She takes over for Leja, a partnering champion who headed up a "materials summit" held Sept. 10, 2014 in Sacramento featuring industry and agency representatives. The summit was triggered by a May 21, 2014 multi-association letter to State Transportation Secretary Brian Kelly outlining a number of industry concerns regarding materials test accuracy, tester competence and delays in getting timely lab results back from Caltrans. Two task forces grew out of the summit -- one focusing on timely reporting of materials test results, and a second focusing on a joint training and certification program for lab technicians. Both task forces continue to move briskly along, with a number of reforms already agreed to or in the process of being worked out. 

The Southern California Contractors' Committee is once again hostingthis gala event on opening weekend at beautiful Del Mar Race

Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, with Victor Espinosa aboard, at Del Mar last year.

Track in Del Mar, Calif.

The historic venue, "where the turf meets the surf," is where a bargain-basement colt named California Chrome tested his mettle in 2013 before going on to win the 2014 Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, becoming a global phenomenon in the process.

This year's four-footed sensation, American Pharoah, also raced at Del Mar before galloping to glory as the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years.

The association has reserved a luxury suite at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on Saturday, July 18, which is the opening week of the horse-racing season at the seaside track, which is celebrating its 77th anniversary. The "Star Fiddle Skyroom" boasts panoramic views from a private balcony close to the finish line, with its own betting windows, access to grounds, a fabulous lunch buffet, snacks and a no-host bar. Tickets are $109 and must be purchased in advance via the CalAPA website. Click HERE to order. 

Del Mar is not only one of the most scenic race tracks in the world,

The view from the luxury skybox reserved by CalAPA.

it's also rich with history, with new and exciting chapters being written each year. Last year, the CalAPA-sponsored 1st Race was won by Lord Nelson, a 2-year-old thoroughbred trained by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who joined CalAPA representatives Holly Mendell and John Michaik from California Commercial Asphalt in the Winner's Circle. Baffert was the trainer of this year's Triple Crown winner, American Pharoah.

Bring your spouse, favorite customer or best friend to our "Day at the Races" and perhaps you'll see the next California Chrome or American Pharoah in action.

"If serving is beneath you, leadership is beyond you."