:Draft:Adetokunbo Omishakin

Omishakin was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, to Nigerian immigrant parents. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology from Mississippi Valley State University and later obtained a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from Jackson State University.{{cite web |title=Toks Omishakin: Transportation Sec Nominee Moves Up to Cabinet Level |url=https://sacobserver.com/2022/03/toks-omishakin-transportation-sec-nominee-moves-up-to-cabinet-level/ |publisher=Sac Observer |date=March 2022 }}

Omishakin started his career in transportation policy as Director of Healthy Living Initiatives under Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, focusing on multimodal transportation planning and pedestrian safety.{{cite web |title=Ten Minutes With Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin |url=https://www.enr.com/articles/48290-ten-minutes-with-caltrans-director-toks-omishakin |publisher=Engineering News-Record |date=2019 }}

He later joined the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) as Deputy Commissioner for Environment and Planning (2011–2019), where he oversaw environmental policies, multimodal transportation, and freight logistics.{{cite web |title=Omishakin, Anderson Kelliher Tapped to Chair AASHTO Committees |url=https://aashtojournal.org/2019/12/20/anderson-kelliher-omishakin-tapped-to-chair-aashto-committees/ |publisher=AASHTO Journal |date=2019 }}

In September 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Omishakin as Director of Caltrans, where he managed a $15 billion budget and nearly 21,000 employees. His tenure focused on expanding public transit, improving highway safety, and advancing active transportation (walking, biking, and public transit access).{{cite web |title=Caltrans' New Director: Toks Omishakin Has Credentials in Active Transportation |url=https://cal.streetsblog.org/2019/09/04/caltrans-new-director-toks-omishakin-has-credentials-in-active-transportation/ |publisher=Streetsblog California |date=2019 }}

During his time at Caltrans, he led Vision Zero initiatives to reduce roadway fatalities and pushed for sustainability efforts such as electrifying state fleet vehicles.{{cite web |title=Caltrans Leader Pushes Sustainability, Safety |url=https://www.enr.com/articles/48290-ten-minutes-with-caltrans-director-toks-omishakin |publisher=Engineering News-Record |date=2019 }}

In February 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Omishakin as California Secretary of Transportation, making him the first African American to hold the role.{{cite web |title=Toks Omishakin: Transportation Sec Nominee Moves Up to Cabinet Level |url=https://sacobserver.com/2022/03/toks-omishakin-transportation-sec-nominee-moves-up-to-cabinet-level/ |publisher=Sac Observer |date=March 2022 }}

As Secretary, he oversaw $125 million in rail infrastructure investments to combat coastal erosion along San Clemente rail corridors.{{cite web |title=State of California Invests $125M to Safeguard San Clemente Rail Corridor |url=https://www.picketfencemedia.com/sanclementetimes/eye-on-sc/state-of-california-invests-125-million-to-safeguard-san-clemente-rail-corridor-from-coastal-erosion/article_de104a6a-9706-11ef-85f8-737f2e7adf3f.html |publisher=San Clemente Times |date=2024 }}

He played a key role in managing the 2023 I-10 Freeway emergency repairs, ensuring a rapid reopening after severe fire damage.{{cite web |title=10 Freeway Closure Greets Monday Morning Commuters |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/10-freeway-closure-greets-monday-164124371.html |publisher=Yahoo News |date=2023 }}

Omishakin has served as Chair of the AASHTO Council on Active Transportation and is a board member of America Walks, a nonprofit advocating for pedestrian-friendly urban planning.{{cite web |title=Omishakin, Anderson Kelliher Tapped to Chair AASHTO Committees |url=https://aashtojournal.org/2019/12/20/anderson-kelliher-omishakin-tapped-to-chair-aashto-committees/ |publisher=AASHTO Journal |date=2019 }}

His leadership in sustainable infrastructure has been recognized in transportation policy circles, with coverage from Engineering News-Record, San Clemente Times, and major state publications.{{cite web |title=State of California Invests $125M to Safeguard San Clemente Rail Corridor |url=https://www.picketfencemedia.com/sanclementetimes/eye-on-sc/state-of-california-invests-125-million-to-safeguard-san-clemente-rail-corridor-from-coastal-erosion/article_de104a6a-9706-11ef-85f8-737f2e7adf3f.html |publisher=San Clemente Times |date=2024 }}

Omishakin is married to Julie Eledah, a nurse practitioner, and they have two children.

{{reflist}}

• [https://calsta.ca.gov/ Official California State Transportation Agency Website]
• [https://dot.ca.gov/about-caltrans/executive-biographies/toks-omishakin Official Caltrans Biography]
• [https://calsta.ca.gov/About-Us/Secretary-Omishakin Official California State Transportation Agency Biography]
• [https://www.enr.com/articles/48290-ten-minutes-with-caltrans-director-toks-omishakin Engineering News-Record Interview]
• [https://cal.streetsblog.org/2019/09/04/caltrans-new-director-toks-omishakin-has-credentials-in-active-transportation Streetsblog California Profile]
• [https://aashtojournal.org/2019/12/20/anderson-kelliher-omishakin-tapped-to-chair-aashto-committees AASHTO Journal Announcement]
• [https://sacobserver.com/2022/03/toks-omishakin-transportation-sec-nominee-moves-up-to-cabinet-level Sac Observer Feature]
• [https://www.picketfencemedia.com/sanclementetimes/eye-on-sc/state-of-california-invests-125-million-to-safeguard-san-clemente-rail-corridor-from-coastal-erosion San Clemente Times Article]
• [https://www.yahoo.com/news/10-freeway-closure-greets-monday-164124371.html Yahoo News - I-10 Freeway Repairs]
• [https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-11-14/california-transportation-secretary-toks-omishakin-advances-sustainable-mobility LA Times - Sustainable Mobility Vision]

{{Draft categories|

:Category:Living people

:Category:State cabinet secretaries of California

:Category:People from Knoxville, Tennessee

:Category:American people of Nigerian descent

:Category:American urban planners

:Category:Mississippi Valley State University alumni

:Category:Jackson State University alumni

:Category:1976 births}}