The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) has named Mark Watkins Interim Executive Director.
Watkins will succeed VCTC Executive Director Darren Kettle, who in July was named chief executive officer (CEO) of Metrolink, Southern California’s regional passenger rail.
The Commission reached an agreement with Watkins during a special meeting. Watkins’ start date will be Sept. 7, and he is expected to serve in the position for four to five months while the Commission completes the search for a permanent executive director.
Watkins is a familiar face in local government in Ventura County. Most recently, he was the city manager of Ventura, a position he held for four years before retiring at the end of 2017. Before that, Watkins was the public works director and assistant city manager in the City of Thousand Oaks for several years. A Ventura resident, he is currently president of the Ventura Land Trust Board of Trustees.
Ventura County Supervisor and Commission Chair Kelly Long stated “We look forward to working with Mr. Watkins over the next several months as we search for the next permanent leader of VCTC.”
Watkins thanked the Commission for the opportunity to return to public service temporarily.
“I’m excited to help VCTC navigate through this transition and to keep critical projects and initiatives moving forward without interruption,” Watkins said.
The Ventura County Transportation Commission is the regional transportation planning agency committed to keeping Ventura County moving.
