Employee Connection: Kevin Ryan
Kevin Ryan is one of those employees who always has a smile on his face and is willing to help. After talking with Kevin, you will come away with a feeling that you are well informed and encouraged by the interaction with him. Kevin is a Strategic Transportation Engineering Manager with the City of Fontana’s Engineering Department, and is committed to ensuring that Fontana’s interests regarding transportation are clearly heard. Kevin works side by side with City leadership and several external agencies, such as Caltrans and SANBAG, to help move essential projects forward. Kevin’s efforts help ensure that the commutes of Fontana residents and the residents of surrounding communities are always improving.
Q: How long have you worked with the City of Fontana?
I started my career in the City of Fontana on October 30, 2001.
Q: What does a Principal Transportation Planner do in the City of Fontana?
We are involved in a variety of transportation projects, policies and programs. We design and construct freeway overpasses (e.g., Cypress Avenue @ I-10) and Interchanges. We work closely with SANBAG (San Bernardino Associated Governments), the County’s regional transportation agency. SANBAG is responsible for managing and distributing revenue from Measure I to the Cities in the County. They are also responsible for regional freeway projects like the recently completed I-210 extension. But, for the City, it’s important to maintain a relationship with SANBAG and understand their role in the County so the City of Fontana can take advantage of all of the funding opportunities that are available for City projects. Our division is also responsible for understanding the state and federal programs and processes for environmental processing, grants, congressional earmarks and much more.
Q: What City of Fontana departments have you served and in what capacities?
I was hired as an Assistant Planner in the Planning Division. I spent about five years in Planning before a short stay in Redevelopment. Then it was onto the Engineering Division.
Q: You deal with a lot of agencies and their representatives. What do you enjoy most about your job?
Yes, I do get to work with several agencies and jurisdictions. The majority of our time is spent working with Caltrans and SANBAG; however, because transportation is a regional issue, we do work with neighboring cities as well as the County of San Bernardino on several projects. I do enjoy meeting people from other cities and agencies. More so, I truly enjoy establishing a relationship with them. I find work a bit easier and more enjoyable when you can remove that initial layer of professional stiffness from the conversation.
Q: What types of questions would you say you deal with on a daily basis from the community or outside agencies?
When is it going to construction? How much will it cost? These seem to be the questions I hear most often. Because we work on regionally significant projects, they never come quick enough. Also with the economy as it is, cost is always a topic of discussion.
Q: What are the most rewarding projects you have been involved in?
I love Fontana Park. In particular, I love the pool as I have spent a few lunch hours getting in a few laps. I’ve worked on the General Plan, the Zoning and Development Code, the Auto Center and Fontana Promenade. Now we are making improvements to our freeways and interchanges. Everything I have worked on has been rewarding. It certainly hasn’t been dull!
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you are not at work?
That’s a tough question because there are so many things I enjoy doing. I really enjoy, “home” and just about everything about it; kids, gardening, projects and relaxing. Of course there’s football. I am a diehard Denver Bronco fan, so for six months out of the year my Sundays are booked. As a family, we enjoy RVing, and we get as many trips in as we can.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
When the time is right, I’ll go back to school and get my Master’s - probably in Public Administration. We’ll see what happens after that. Other than that, I’ll stick to my standard approach: love my family, work hard every day, and let the rest take care of itself.
