Pasadena announces Joaquin Siques as new transportation director

Pasadena officials earlier this week announced the appointment of Joaquin Siques as the new director of the city’s Department of Transportation.

Siques began his career with Pasadena DOT nearly two decades ago and advanced through several engineering positions. In 2020 he became the deputy director of transportation.

In that role he implemented dozens of projects and programs, according to a city statement. Siques secured Caltrans’ relinquishment of the 710 freeway stub, implemented on-street dining and “Slow Streets” programs during the pandemic and obtained millions in transportation grant funding.

“He brings a balanced approach to improving the safety and efficiency of the movement of people within the City, creating a sustainable and equitable transportation system, with a focus on the system’s most vulnerable road users,” officials said.

Siques also is the executive director of the Arroyo Verdugo Joint Powers Authority. Member cities include South Pasadena, Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge and Los Angeles County.

Before joining Pasadena’s Transportation Department, Siques was a traffic engineer at LA-based Korve Engineering from 1998-2004, according to his LinkedIn account.

“Joaquin combines an engineering background with a passion for safety and a commitment to provide open channels of communication to continue to improve the transportation network for all transit users in Pasadena,” City Manager Miguel Márquez said in a statement.

“My vision for Pasadena builds on the progress made over the past two decades in enhancing safety for all road users, prioritizing sustainability and equity, implementing technology-based programs, promoting innovation, and ensuring communication with Pasadena residents and businesses while providing data driven solutions,” Siques said in a statement. “The City has a great team in place, and the staff in the Department of Transportation work tirelessly to achieve the City’s vision, providing mobility solutions for residents and businesses. I am honored to have been selected for this position and I am grateful for the support from my City colleagues and my family.”

Officials said they conducted a nationwide search to fill the transportation director position that Laura Rubio-Conejo vacated in August to become Los Angeles’ transportation chief.

Siques was born in Santiago, Chile, and immigrated to California when he was a young child, according to the city. He grew up in Palmdale and earned a master’s degree in transportation engineering from UC Berkeley and a bachelor’s in safety and health from USC.

While attending USC he met his wife, who is a registered pediatrics nurse. They have a son who is a high school senior.

City officials added that Siques “enjoys the outdoors, from walking his two dogs, to going on hikes, cycling and running through the streets of Pasadena and Glendale.”

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