In June 2020, Facilities Design & Construction Management Deputy Director James Treadaway is named Director of OC Public Works.
In 2020, Assistant Director of Engineering Services and County Engineer Khalid Bazmi becomes the Interim Director of OC Public Works.
In 2013, Shane L. Silsby, P.E., begins serving as Director of OC Public Works on November 4.
In 2008, Resources and Development Management Department (RDMD) was renamed to what it is known today, OC Public Works.
In 2004, the decision was made to merge Public Facilities and Resources Department (PFRD) and Planning and Regulation Divisions (PDSD) and create RDMD.
In 1997, the Planning and Regulation Divisions of the former Environmental Management Agency (EMA) were removed from the structure and now comprise the PDSD. The remaining EMA functions were combined with public works functions of the General Services Agency (GSA) to form the PFRD, which included:
• Road
• Flood
• Harbors, Beaches and Parks
• Geomatics (Survey)
• Engineering & Permit Services
• Internal Services (added a couple years later)
• Agricultural Commissioner
• Administration
• Watershed (added a couple years later)
PDSD included:
• Planning
• Building and Safety
In 1996, the Board of Supervisors formally adopted a CEO model of organization by County Ordinance and filled the position. The CEO submitted a report to the Board that focused on internal restructuring and was adopted in June.
In 1992/1993, the Housing Department was added to EMA.
In 1991, the Agricultural Commissioner was adopted to EMA.
In 1976, GSA was formed by a split of Public Facilities from EMA.
In 1975, the EMA organizational structure was developed with some areas centered on programs (e.g. environmental, building inspections) and other areas organized by project functions (e.g. engineering, construction). The organization evolved into four major divisions: Road Department, OC Parks District, Flood Control District, and Planning Department.
In 1974, the County Administrative Officers (CAO) recommended that the county adopt the agency model of organizational structure, and begin with the EMA.
In 1968, the Board of Supervisors established the County Administrative Office and appointed its first CAO. In the 1960s and 1970s, Orange County experienced rapid growth, transforming rural and agricultural areas into new housing developments and communities such as Irvine, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, and Laguna Niguel. The population soon surpassed one million people and became its own metropolitan region.
