Derek Minnema is a Civil Engineer with more than 20 years of experience leading complex, high-profile, transportation infrastructure projects. His career spans the private and public sectors in transportation planning and programming, land use, and engineering design. He has extensive experience with matters concerning State and Federal environmental approvals and permitting, project funding, and construction.
Mr. Minnema currently serves as Executive Director of a Sacramento-based Joint Powers Authority (JPA) that includes the Counties of Sacramento and El Dorado, and the cities of Folsom, Elk Grove, and Rancho Cordova. The JPA’s mission is to deliver the Capital SouthEast Connector Expressway Project – a beltway that connects four highways around the region.
Achievements
Under his leadership, the Capital SouthEast Connector Expressway cleared over 20 miles of environmental approvals, obtained 50-year regulatory permits, secured new funding from various federal, state, regional and local sources, and over $100 million in improvements was completed.
Bio
As the Executive Director, he has specialized in coalition building, government affairs, and has been at the forefront of major funding initiatives.
Minnema was recognized in 2022 as Sacramento’s Public Servant of the Year, and numerous transportation projects he has delivered have received awards and been showcased for their success in improving California’s transportation network.
Mr. Minnema’s sense of community responsibility is a hallmark of both his personal and professional life. In this regard, Mr. Minnema was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the American River Flood Control District from 2004 to 2012, elected to serve on the Rollingwood Homeowners Association in 2022, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Sacramento Region Business Association.
Mr. Minnema also supports non-profit organizations such as Autism Speaks and Ducks Unlimited, in addition to his membership in the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Road and Transportation Builders Association.
A native of Northern California, Minnema graduated from CSU Sacramento with a Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering in 2002. He currently resides in Fair Oaks, CA with his wife and their three sons.
