Folsom city officials name new Public Works Director

The City of Folsom has a new Public Works Director. City officials announced Friday August 22 that Rebecca Neves has been selected to take over as its new Public Works Director, effective September 1. In a statement, the city described Neves as having an extensive civil engineering and public service background; she will lead the city's public works initiatives, including infrastructure planning and maintenance, transportation systems, and priority capital improvement projects. "Rebecca is a bold and forward-thinking leader with a proven track record of delivering high-impact projects," said City Manager Bryan Whitemyer. "Her creative thinking, strong leadership skills, and extensive engineering background make her well-prepared to lead Folsom's public works team and guide development partnerships that serve the community." In 2023, Neves was named Folsom City Engineer, overseeing high-quality community development projects. In her new role, she will serve as both Public Works Director and City Engineer, advancing and protecting the City's infrastructure needs through collaborative partnerships and grant-funded opportunities. Before joining the City of Folsom, Neves served as City Engineer for the City of Placerville, where she spearheaded numerous initiatives, from community-supported infrastructure and safety projects to securing substantial state and federal grants totaling nearly $53 million. Her experience also includes managing state permits, overseeing wastewater treatment plants, utility project delivery, and supporting public safety initiatives. "I am honored to serve as Folsom's Public Works Director. Our dedicated team plays an important role in the community's daily life, from maintaining safe streets and reliable infrastructure to providing essential services," said Neves. "I look forward to continuing my dedicated service to Folsom and its residents, focusing on excellent customer service and advancing projects that will benefit the community today and for future generations." Neves earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Sacramento State and is a licensed civil engineer. She recently received a master's degree in public administration from Grand Canyon University. Highlights of Neves' career include receiving accolades such as Project of the Year from the American Public Works Association and Innovative Project of the Year from the Women's Transportation Seminar. Additionally, she serves on multiple statewide committees, including the Highway Bridge Program Committee and the Highway Safety Improvement Program Committee. She is the incoming president of the Public Works Officers Department of the League of California Cities. The statement from Folsom city officials said Neves, her husband Ryan, and their two daughters, Dylan and Reese, enjoy traveling, game nights, and serving others through their church and community volunteering.