Casey, who brings more than 35 years of transportation expertise to her role as Executive Director of Planning, will be joined by the promotion of Dan Phu to OCTA’s new Director of Planning
ORANGE – Rose Casey, a dedicated transportation professional with more than three decades of experience in transportation planning and capital project delivery, has been named Executive Director of Planning for the Orange County Transportation Authority.
Casey replaces Kia Mortazavi, who retired in March after nearly 40 years of transportation planning in Orange County, dating back to a time before OCTA was formed in 1991. He and Casey spent the last several months sharing the role, to ensure a smooth transition in the effort to continue providing Orange County with a balanced and sustainable transportation network.
In her new role, Casey will lead OCTA’s Planning Division, responsible for developing long-range transportation plans, guiding sustainable and equitable mobility initiatives, and coordinating regionally with stakeholders to address the county’s evolving transportation needs. Her leadership will remain critical in shaping multimodal corridor strategies, expanding options for transit and active transportation such as cycling and walking, and ensuring Orange County remains connected and mobile.
“We are thrilled to have Rose take on this key leadership role,” said OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson. “Her depth of knowledge, passion for community-focused solutions, and ability to see the big picture make her an ideal person to help us plan Orange County’s transportation future.”
Casey has been with OCTA for more than 17 years, most recently serving as Director of Programs, where she oversaw the successful delivery of major freeway and roadway improvement projects throughout the county, including the construction of the $2.1 billion 405 Improvement Project and the successful implementation of the 405 Express Lanes.
Her previous experience includes roles as Program Manager at OCTA and work with Caltrans District 12 in Orange County and District 7 in Los Angeles, giving her a strong foundation in project development and interagency coordination, as well as a deep understanding of transportation funding.
A longtime resident of Irvine, Casey has been actively involved in local civic life. She served as a Transportation Commissioner for the City of Irvine from 2017 to 2019, where she helped guide thoughtful growth and infrastructure decisions from a local perspective.
“I’ve spent my career working to improve how people move around Orange County, and I feel incredibly fortunate to now help lead that planning work,” Casey said. “As a resident of Orange County and a longtime transportation professional, there’s real satisfaction in traveling through our county and remembering the projects I’ve worked on – the improved freeways, smoother streets and bikeways and safer intersections. These are improvements that truly make a difference in people’s lives, and I’m proud to have been a part of that progress.”
Casey will report directly to CEO Johnson and will play a central role in developing and implementing OCTA’s long-range planning efforts in collaboration with local, regional, and state partners.
OCTA, with an annual budget of $1.7 billion, operates one of California’s largest transit systems, manages Measure M – the county’s voter-approved transportation investment plan – and oversees an array of mobility solutions including OC Bus, Metrolink commuter rail, and OC Streetcar, which is set to debut next year.
Casey is based at OCTA’s headquarters in Orange.
In support of the continued growth of OCTA’s Planning Division, the agency has also named Dan Phu as the new Director of Transportation Planning and Analysis. His appointment underscores OCTA’s strong commitment to succession planning and promoting internal talent.
Phu, who has been with OCTA since 2007, brings nearly two decades of experience in transportation and environmental planning. He has led key initiatives including the Measure M2 Environmental Mitigation and Cleanup Programs, regional rail and transit planning studies, and conceptual engineering projects. His work to help acquire conservation lands and fund habitat restoration has helped expedite project delivery and earned statewide recognition.
Most recently, Phu has played a vital role in addressing coastal rail challenges, leading planning efforts to identify vulnerable areas and working with regulatory partners to help prevent future rail service disruptions.
For more information on OCTA programs, projects and services, visit www.octa.net.
