ROSE WILLEMS
Outreach Contractor
Professional Summary
Rose Willems, Rose is a transportation specialist, providing services in the areas of community outreach, media relations, event planning and employee communications for public and private agencies. Rose has 27 years of experience in the transportation industry. She began her career with the Department of Transportation, (Caltrans), serving the Central Region of California, as the Public Affairs and Legislative Affairs Officer and as a Right of Way Agent. Since 1993, Rose has served as the Advocate with Caltrans and the Fresno County Transportation Authority. Her first task was working with Caltrans, partnering agencies, elected officials and impacted property owners to resolve a lawsuit filed to stop all funding for new Urban Freeways in the Fresno-Clovis metropolitan area. The lawsuit was dismissed and over $2 billion of “Measure C” funded projects have been constructed. This includes the completion of 50 miles of new Freeways 41, 168 and 180 in Fresno County. Rose is also responsible for implementing a $500,000 annual community outreach plan for the “Measure C” program. As the Advocate, Rose is responsible for interacting with property owners during the Caltrans’ Planning & Environmental Stages at the Public Open Houses/Hearings. Rose continues to work on projects through completion as an “Ombudsman”. She helps residents find solutions for environmental, right-of-way, construction, landscaping and maintenance issues, as well as graffiti problems. Rose helps establish crime prevention programs such as "Neighborhood Watch". She also works closely with partnering government agencies, elected officials and the media. Rose provides community outreach to various clients including; the successful passage of the 20 year, $213 million bond, for “Measure T” in Madera County, the $10 million widening of the Manning Avenue Bridge in Reedley, the smart growth “2050 plan” for the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint process in Fresno, Madera, Kings and Tulare Counties, as well as the California High Speed Rail Authority. Rose has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from, California State University, Fresno. She is a member of the Fresno County Women's Chamber of Commerce and a trained mediator for the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP), and volunteers with the Boys and Girls Club of Fresno County.
