The City of Folsom has recently announced Rebecca Neves as the new Public Works Director, set to take on the role starting September 1. Neves, who brings a rich background in civil engineering and public service to the table, is expected to spearhead the city's public works projects. This umbrella of responsibilities includes infrastructure planning and maintenance, the enhancement of transportation systems, and overseeing capital improvement projects that remain a high priority.
City Manager Bryan Whitemyer expressed confidence in Neves' abilities, stating, "Rebecca is a bold and forward-thinking leader with a proven track record of delivering high-impact projects," according to a statement obtained by the City of Folsom's official website. He emphasized her "creative thinking, strong leadership skills, and extensive engineering background," as key assets that make her the ideal candidate to guide the city’s public works team and foster development partnerships that serve the needs of the community.
Neves' track record includes being named Folsom City Engineer in 2023, a role that had her overseeing community development projects marked by their high quality. Merging her previous position with her new responsibilities, Neves will double as both Public Works Director and City Engineer, intending to advance the city’s infrastructure with the aid of collaborative efforts and grant-funded opportunities.
Prior to her time in Folsom, Neves held the position of City Engineer for Placerville, where she was instrumental in launching several successful projects. From infrastructure enhancements that garnered community support to securing significant state and federal grants totaling nearly $53 million, her experience is extensive. "I am honored to serve as Folsom’s Public Works Director," Neves said, emphasizing the importance of the team's role in everyday community life, "from maintaining safe streets and reliable infrastructure to providing essential services." These declarations were echoed in a publication by the City of Folsom.
Neves, who received her bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Sacramento State and is a licensed civil engineer, recently added a master's degree in public administration from Grand Canyon University to her credentials. Her professional work has not gone unnoticed; she’s been honored with the Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association and the Innovative Project of the Year by the Women’s Transportation Seminar. Currently, Neves is preparing to serve as the president of the Public Works Officers Department of the League of California Cities and serves on several statewide committees. When she isn’t shaping the built environment of Folsom, Neves enjoys traveling, hosting game nights, and dedicating time to church and community volunteer work with her husband Ryan and their two daughters, Dylan and Reese.
