Kenneth H. Rosenfield, P.E.

Status:

Awarded

Awarded:

Outstanding Civil Engineer in the Public Sector

Nominated Categories

Outstanding Civil Engineer in the Public Sector

Other Categories

Awards:

Ken has contributed greatly to the profession and ASCE over the course of his career. He has been recognized with several awards and was recently inducted as a Life Member of ASCE.

Additional Files

Additional Information

Candidate Information

Name:

Kenneth H. Rosenfield, P.E.

ASCE Member?:

Yes

Company:

City of Laguna Hills (retired April 2022)
24035 El Toro Road
Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Supervisor:

Education:

Master of Business Administration, University of California Riverside (1989)
Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Irvine (1978)

Experience:

City of Laguna Hills, Interim City Manager/Director of Public Services, February 2021 - April 2022
City of Laguna Hills, Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Services, February 2018 - February 2021
City of Laguna Hills, Director of Public Services/City Engineer, July 1995 - February 2018
BSI Consultants, Vice President, 1985 - 1995

Comments:

Civil Engineers, fundamentally, build and support communities while protecting the public health, safety and welfare through improvements to the built environment and the protection of the natural environment. This is what Ken accomplished for the City of Laguna Hills during his 30 years of service. He fulfilled his professional purpose and became a highly respected engineer and leader through his contributions to the profession and ASCE. He mentored many civil engineers to enhance their careers by improving their management, verbal, written and presentation skills. I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition.

Contribution to the Profession:

Ken has served in many ASCE leadership positions including:
ASCE Region 9 Director, 2020-Present
Chair, ASCE Public Policy Committee, 2019-2020
ASCE Region 9, Government Relations Committee Chair, 2018-2020
ASCE Region 9 Vice-Chair, 2017-2018
ASCE Region 9 Governor At-Large, 2015-2018
ASCE Los Angeles Section President, 2014-2015
ASCE Region 9 T&DI Committee Chair, 2010-2015
ASCE Orange County Branch President, 2008-2009

Civic:

Ken served as Director of Public Services and City Engineer for the City of Laguna Hills for 30 years, as well as Interim City Manager for 14 months, before announcing his retirement on April 1st. During his tenure, he managed all aspects of infrastructure maintenance and capital improvement budgeting and construction and successfully implemented over 130 capital improvement program projects valued over $146 million.

Ken led the City’s successful efforts to maintain its contract model approach to public services; enhanced City revenues through grant acquisitions; managed all capital improvement program projects, including the widening of every major intersection, refurbishment of every street, reconstruction of every local park, development of the City’s first sports park - Rapid Falls Park, subsequently renamed to Cabot Park, and development of the 19-acre Laguna Hills Community Center and Sports Complex, including the 43,000 sf multiuse community center building; participated as a key team member for the development of the City’s 60,000 sf multi-tenant Civic Center; and managed multiple traffic signal, landscaping, median island improvements and other infrastructure enhancement projects for the community.

During his last 14 months, he also served as the Interim City Manager, managing all city functions and budgeting and successfully transitioned the City out of the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also negotiated a new contract with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and shepherded the final approval of the redevelopment of the Laguna Hills Mall, a 68-acre site, into the Village at Laguna Hills.

Suggested Award Summary:

Kenneth H. Rosenfield P.E. recently retired from the City of Laguna Hills, where he served as Director of Public Services and City Engineer for 30 years. During his tenure, he managed all aspects of infrastructure maintenance and capital improvement budgeting and construction and successfully implemented over 130 capital improvement program projects valued over $146 million. During the last 14 months, he also served as the Interim City Manager, managing all city functions and budgeting and successfully transitioned the City out of the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also negotiated a new contract with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and shepherded the final approval of the redevelopment of the Laguna Hills Mall, a 68-acre site, into the Village at Laguna Hills.

Ken’s ASCE resume speaks for itself, as he has served in many leadership positions including President of the Orange County Branch, President of the Los Angeles Section, Region 9 At-Large Governor, and currently as the ASCE Region 9 Director.