Yunsheng Su

Office Employee of the Year

Q: How long have you worked for Ventura County Public Works Agency?

A: I joined the Ventura County Public Works Agency Watershed Protection in June 2002 with a commitment to serve the public interest. During the nineteen years of public services in PWA, I found my job as a professional civil engineer quite interesting and highly rewarding.

Q: What are your job duties or what you do on a day-to-day basis?

A: Soon after joining the Agency, I was given the opportunity to be part of the high-profile Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration project feasibility study team where I was privileged to work with the talented professionals from US Army Corps of Engineers and US Bureau of Reclamation. I was also trusted by my colleagues and managers to make a meaningful contribution to the development of the Integrated Watershed Protection Plan which sets long-term watershed management goals by integrating Watershed Protection’s mission, vision, and policies. On a day-to-day basis, I team up with my co-workers in the Advanced Planning Section to conduct feasibility studies and preliminary designs to find viable solutions to challenging flood control issues. Under the directions of managers, I also coordinate with FEMA engineers and officials to re-evaluate and re-map flood hazards throughout the County. Reviewing floodplain development permit applications is also part of my day-to-day job duties.

Q: Are there any special skills needed to perform your job?

A: To carry out the job duties, one needs to understand the fundamentals of hydrology, hydraulics, and sediment transport mechanism. Computer modeling techniques are also required to apply the knowledge and solve practical problems. Of course, understanding of federal, state, and local floodplain management policies, regulations, and guidelines is also critical for applying the technical expertise effectively.

Q: How does it feel to be honored with this recognition? What was your reaction to finding out you received this recognition?

A: I was thrilled to learn that I was honored with the Employee of the Year. I understand the selection process is very competitive and many of my co-workers deserve it as well.

Q: What about your work are you most proud of?

A: I am proud of the contributions I was able to make toward the removal of the Matilija Dam. I am proud of the innovative research I conducted that will lead to significant construction cost-savings. And I am proud of the differences I make each day advancing the interest of the Ventura County communities.

Q: Are there any projects that you’re working on that you are looking forward to sharing with the community this year?

A: The Advanced Planning Section team is working on a preliminary design project for Calleguas Creek from Upland Road to Adolfo Road in Camarillo to develop and evaluate improvement alternatives to tackle the worsening sedimentation and flooding problems. Sediment deposition in this reach of Calleguas Creek has elevated the channel bed elevations continuously and created challenges to maintain its flood control flow capacities. The preliminary design project is aimed to finding a long-term sediment management solution so that to minimize channel maintenance costs and to ensure the Calleguas Creek will provide needed flood protection to the City of Camarillo.

Luis Negrete

Operations and Maintenance Employee of the Year  

Q: How long have you worked for Ventura County Public Works Agency?

A: I have been with Ventura County Public Works Agency, Roads & Transportation and Watershed Protection for 20 years.

Q: What are your job duties or what you do on a day-to-day basis?

A: My job duties in my new position as Superintendent Watershed Protection Zone 3 & 4, is managing resources operating and maintaining Watershed Facilities. Including Calleguas Creek with a watershed area of approximately 341 square miles and approximately 40 Debris Basins and Detention Basins throughout Zone 3 & 4.

Q: Are there any special skills needed to perform your job?

A: No special skills needed, only the ability to be an effective listener, effective communicator, and most important, always striving to adhere to The Vision, Mission, and Core Values of the Public Works Agency.

Q: How does it feel to be honored with this recognition?

A: It feels great to have been recognized, especially knowing that I was selected amongst a great group of PWA personnel.

Q: What was your reaction to finding out you received this recognition?

A: I was surprised and honored.

Q: What about your work are you most proud of?

A: I am proud of many aspects of the work we do, most importantly, I am proud that we work hard maintaining our Watershed Facilities and Debris Basins functional and clean before shedding into the ocean.

Q: Are there any projects that you are working on that you are looking forward to sharing with the community this year?

A: No projects that come to mind. Just the normal work we do every day to maintain the many Watershed Facilities throughout Zone 3 and 4.

Matt Maechler

Manager of the Year 

Q: How long have you worked for Ventura County Public Works Agency?

A: Just over 3 years. I was with the City of Carpinteria for 4 years and with Dokken Engineering for almost 10 years prior to that.

Q: What are your job duties or what you do on a day-to-day basis?

A: Manage staff and projects for Design & Construction, but mostly my time has been spent on the Rice Ave Grade Separation project lately.

Q: Are there any special skills needed to perform your job?

A: Understanding roadway projects from concept through construction. Also, for the Rice Ave. project, my Caltrans experience has served me very well. As a consultant in San Diego, I worked for almost 10 years on Caltrans freeway projects. My experience at Carpinteria while working with the public and understanding local agency roles and responsibilities was extremely valuable.

Q: How does it feel to be honored with this recognition?

A: Extremely honored. Our agency is full of top notch professionals and is a group I’m just grateful to be a part of. The Design & Construction team is full of hard working and smart people who are wonderful to work with. A lot of this honor goes to them as well for their continued help and expertise.

Q: What was your reaction to finding out you received this recognition?

A: Surprised. The other nominees are so good at their jobs and conduct themselves in such a professional manner. They’re also very likeable people to work with. Again, I’m grateful to be associated with them.

Q: What about your work are you most proud of?

A: It’s rewarding to know our work produces projects that benefit our community here in Ventura County. The Rice Ave project is a large safety improvements project which increases safety to tens of thousands of the traveling public every day. It’s also very rewarding to hear the, “Thank You’s” from the public after a project is completed. During the Yerba Buena area projects, residents called me regularly to get information on the road improvements and express their concerns. They were very pleased and appreciative after the project was completed. I also enjoy getting input from the Operations & Maintenance teams that provide us good data on road projects before we begin the designs. Incorporating their comments into successful projects feels like we’ve got a real collaborative group here in Roads & Transportation and the comradery makes work more fun.

Q: Are there any projects that you’re working on that you are looking forward to sharing with the community this year?

A: In addition to the Rice Ave. grade separation project, we are repaving Lockwood Valley Road and designing intersection improvements at the rail crossing at Las Posas Road and SR-34.