Meet San Mateo County's New Public Works Director

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — San Mateo County is set to have a new public works director.

Ann Stillman, who has worked with the county since 1987, will be responsible for leading the Peninsula’s largest public works agency that oversees 315 miles of roads and two airports. The Board of Supervisors is expected to approve Stillman’s appointment on July 12.

Stillman, a registered civil engineer, has held the title of interim director since last July when Jim Porter retired as public works director.

She has held positions in engineering, resource protection, utilities and flood control.

“I am thrilled Ann Stillman has accepted the job as our new Public Works director,” County Manager Mike Callagy said. “Ann possesses the unique traits of analytic skills with a strong work ethic, while also possessing a wealth of knowledge and experience. Ann has a can-do attitude which is so critical to this role.”

Stillman said among her most significant contributions was the Crystal Springs Dam Bridge Replacement Project, which was completed in 2019.

“I walk on the multi-use trail portion of the Lower Crystal Springs Dam Bridge, I think of the decades, obstacles, agencies, and complexities of designing, permitting, and constructing this bridge replacement project and I am very proud to have been a part of the department’s team that saw this through to completion and while I was the deputy director of the Engineering and Resource Protection Division for the department,” Stillman said.

Don Horsley, the president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, said that Stillman “knows the history of San Mateo County and all the back stories.”

“She is intimately familiar with the terrain of the county,” Horsley said. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to continue working with her.”