Immediate Release

Contact

Tuesday December 3, 2002

Tom Manheim, (408) 277-5131

San José Appoints Director for Department of Transportation

San José, CA ---- City Manager Del D. Borgsdorf today (12/3/02) announced the appointment of Jim Helmer as Director of the San José Department of Transportation following a nationwide recruitment. Helmer has been serving as Acting Director of the Department since May of this year.

"Jim Helmer brings a hands-on understanding of San José's transportation issues," said City Manager Del Borgsdorf in announcing the appointment. "He has demonstrated leadership of the department, both as Acting Director for the past six months, as well as during his 14 years with the City."

The new transportation director was selected following an extensive nationwide recruitment. The City's search firm interviewed 44 candidates from 14 states and Canada. Five finalists were interviewed.

Helmer, a registered civil engineer, spearheaded San José's leadership in a number of regional partnerships to address traffic issues, helping to form the Highway 17-880 Smart Corridor Committee, and leading an expansion of the Intelligent Transportation Systems effort throughout San José and the greater Bay Area.

Under Helmer's leadership, San José became the first northern California city to build a traffic management center, employing technology to move people safely and efficiently throughout the downtown core. He has also demonstrated a strong commitment to working with San José neighborhoods to improve the livability of the City. He initiated and led the City's community driven traffic calming program to improve driving behaviors, one of the City's most popular programs in San José neighborhoods.

"Jim has proven a true asset to San José, by supporting and advancing multi-modal transportation, walkable communities, and pedestrian safety," said Russ Westbrook, President and Co-Founder of Walk San José, who has worked with Helmer on a number of bicycle, pedestrian, and transportation related issues.

Helmer, who led the Roadway Marking Team through a successful managed competition program that resulted in reduced costs and improved efficiencies for the City, brings a life-long commitment to continuous improvement, both personally and organizationally.

He currently holds an undergraduate degree in Transportation Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and will complete work next June on a Masters in Transportation Management from San José State's Mineta Transportation Institute.

With 550 employees and an annual budget of $68 million, the City's Department of Transportation maintains some 2,200 miles of transportation infrastructure including streets, sidewalks, landscaping, traffic devices, streetlights, sewers and storm drains.