Kevin Onuma, P.E.

Status:: Awarded
Awarded:: Outstanding Civil Engineer in the Public Sector
Nominated Categories: Outstanding Civil Engineer in the Public Sector
Other Categories
Awards:: (to be completed)
Additional Files
Additional Information: Kevin’s exceptional leadership and knowledge (to be completed)

Candidate Information

Name:

Kevin Onuma, P.E.

ASCE Member?:

Yes

Company:

OC Public Works
300 N. Flower Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703

Supervisor:

Education:

B.S. in Civil Engineering 1989 from Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA

Experience:

Kevin is a licensed Civil Engineer and currently the Deputy Director of the Operations & Maintenance Service Area for the Orange County Public Works Department. He has over 26-years of engineering experience with the County of Orange which includes stints as the Deputy Director of Infrastructure Programs, interim Chief Engineer, interim Assistant Director of OC Engineering, Flood Control Division Manager, as well in time in the County’s Flood and Road Program and Flood Control Design groups.

The work done by his groups included the planning, programming, budgeting, engineering, design, reviews, operation and maintenance, storm responses, and inter-agency coordination for the County’s road, bridge and flood control projects and also managing the County’s local sponsor responsibilities for the $2.4 billion Santa Ana River Mainstem Project. Kevin has represented the County of Orange on a number of trips to Washington, D.C. to support funding for the Santa Ana River Mainstem Project and Corps’ watershed studies, and to also advocate on policy issues as one of Orange County’s representatives on the 7 Southern California Counties Coalition.

Since 2008, his staff delivered over $200 M of flood control capital improvement projects. Throughout his career, he and his staff have been involved in the engineering review and negotiations for much of the infrastructure constructed by developers and other agencies for dedication to the County and the Orange County Flood Control District.

Comments:

Kevin and his wife, Terry, have been married for almost 25 years and he enjoys spending time and building things in his free time with his two sons.

Contribution to the Profession:

Kevin’s professional associations includes ASCE, APWA, the County Engineers Association of California, and the City Engineers Association of Orange County. He also serves as one of OC Public Works’ representatives on the County’s Operational Area Executive Board and Emergency Management Council and a representative of the Orange County Flood Control District on the Santa Ana River Flood Protection Agency’s Executive Committee.

Kevin’s leadership through the years has helped shape the careers of many at OC Public Works. Over the years, Kevin has stepped in when assistance was needed to take on the responsibilities of Deputy Director of Infrastructure Programs, interim Chief Engineer, and interim Assistant Director of OC Engineering.

Civic: