Tracy, Calif. – After an extensive search and recruitment effort, Kris Balaji, P.E., P.M.P., has been selected to serve as the City of Tracy’s Development Services Director effective Monday. The City’s Assistant Director of Development Services, Bill Dean, has served as Interim Director of Development Services since the retirement of Andrew Malik.
“I’d like to extend my sincere appreciation to Bill for his leadership and willingness to step up to provide support in this key position during this period of transition for our organization and community,” said Michael Rogers, Tracy City Manager.
Kris Balaji is a licensed Professional Civil Engineer in California with over 30 years of experience managing and delivering public infrastructure projects. He previously served as the Director of Public Works for San Joaquin County, overseeing a staff of approximately 400 engineers, planners, administrators, and maintenance professionals who provided services to San Joaquin County residents with a $150M budget that included highway, bridge, water resources, flood control, solid waste, fleet, development services, environmental services, and water and sewer utilities services. Previously, he managed Transportation Operations for two global architecture and engineering firms and served in various capacities for Caltrans.
A Certified Project Management Professional, Kris holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Civil Engineering. As a strong proponent of continuing education and public service, Kris mentors college students and has taught his native language, Tamil, to second-generation Indian youth in the Sacramento area for over 15 years. He also served on the Transportation Research Board’s Committee on Educating the Workforce and has been an instructor at the Project Engineer and Bridge Engineer Academies, in addition to teaching leadership, and transportation policy and funding.
Kris has served on the Sacramento County Planning Council and the ITS-California Board of Directors. Kris has also served as the County Engineers Association of California Regional Director for Central Valley, and currently serves on the Board of the California Transportation Foundation.
As the Director of Development Services, Mr. Balaji will oversee the City’s Planning, Building, and Engineering Divisions.
