Toks Omishakin: Leading California as a Forward-Thinking Transport Secretary

Toks Omishakin stands as the eminent Transport Secretary for the state of California, a role he assumed in February 2022 under Governor Gavin Newsom’s appointment. As the fourth individual to hold this crucial position, Omishakin heads the California State Transportation Agency (CALSTA), an expansive organization encompassing eight State Departments, Boards, and Commissions. This vast agency boasts a workforce exceeding 42,000 professionals and manages an annual budget surpassing $30 billion, highlighting the significant reach and impact of the California Transport Secretary’s office.

At the heart of Omishakin’s leadership are the “Core Four” priorities: Safety, Equity, Climate Action, and Economic Prosperity. These pillars serve as the guiding principles for transportation initiatives across the state, reflecting a comprehensive approach to development and policy.

Prior to his appointment as Transport Secretary, Omishakin served as the Director of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). In this executive capacity, he skillfully managed a substantial $17.5 billion budget and led a team of over 22,000 employees. Caltrans’ responsibilities under his directorship were extensive, including the oversight of 50,000 lane miles of highways and the maintenance of over 20,000 bridges. Furthermore, Caltrans is responsible for permitting over 250 public-use airports, funding three of Amtrak’s busiest intercity rail services, and providing essential transit support to more than 400 local and regional transit agencies.

In 2020, demonstrating his commitment to progressive transportation solutions, Omishakin, alongside the Caltrans executive team, charted a new strategic direction for the department. This vision prioritized partnerships and community engagement, aiming to forge a cleaner, safer, more equitable, and interconnected transportation system for all Californians. This strategic shift underscores his focus on building a transportation network that serves the diverse needs of the state’s population while addressing critical environmental and social concerns.

Omishakin’s career trajectory showcases a consistent dedication to advancing transportation infrastructure and policy. Before his impactful tenure at Caltrans, he spent eight years as Deputy Commissioner with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). During this period, he was instrumental in establishing groundbreaking environmental and multimodal planning policies and programs at both local and national levels. His achievements at TDOT include the creation of a pioneering Multimodal Access Grant program and the establishment of a new Office of Community Transportation, demonstrating his commitment to innovative and inclusive transportation solutions.

Further highlighting his commitment to balanced and community-focused transportation, Omishakin previously served as Director of Healthy Living Initiatives in the Nashville Mayor’s Office. In this role, he spearheaded the development of Metro Nashville’s Complete Streets Policy, advocating for a more balanced approach to urban transportation planning and design. His efforts in Nashville also included the successful launch of two bicycle sharing programs, promoting sustainable and healthy transportation options within the city.

Omishakin’s influence extends beyond state-level roles into national transportation leadership. In 2019, he was appointed Chair of the Council on Active Transportation for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). This prestigious position followed his tenure as Vice Chair and Inaugural Chair of AASHTO’s Multimodal Task Force. His involvement with AASHTO underscores his national recognition as a thought leader in active and multimodal transportation. Moreover, his decade-long service on the board of America Walks, where he now serves as an emeritus advisor, and his board positions at the Mineta Transportation Institute and Veloz, further solidify his standing in the transportation sector. He has also contributed his expertise to the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis through its Transportation Council Board, advising on economic aspects of transportation. His engagement with academic institutions includes advisory board roles at Tennessee Tech University for Civil and Environmental Engineering and at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Institute for Transportation studies, demonstrating his commitment to fostering the next generation of transportation professionals.

In October 2020, Omishakin’s expertise was further recognized with his appointment to the Biden-Harris Transportation Transition Team. His contributions to the field have been acknowledged through accolades such as the Excellence in Leadership award from the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) NorCal in December 2020 and being named Person of the Year by the California Transportation Foundation (CTF) in May 2021.

Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, Transport Secretary Omishakin holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Management from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Jackson State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Engineering Technology from Mississippi Valley State University. His extensive education and diverse experience underscore his qualifications to lead California’s transportation into a future focused on safety, equity, sustainability, and economic vitality.

Under the leadership of Transport Secretary Omishakin, CALSTA’s diverse portfolio includes: