Independent watchdog group formed to monitor $14 billion in highway, road, and transit funding

Committed to move aggressively on much-needed transportation projects, a screening panel of local mayors and a county supervisor has selected seven individuals to serve as the Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee (ITOC) — a group tasked with monitoring and evaluating SANDAG’s use of the $14 billion new TransNet sales tax. 

“The ITOC is a key component of TransNet, the local half-cent sales tax that was extended by the voters in November 2004 with the passage of Proposition A,” said Gary Gallegos, SANDAG Executive Director. “With its membership finalized, SANDAG can begin to implement its Early Action Program (EAP) and keep San Diego moving.” High-profile projects for early action include I-15; State Routes 76 and 52, and construction of the Mid-Coast trolley extension onto the campus of UCSD and over to University Towne Centre. 

ITOC members include:

• Maryam Babaki (4-year term): A civil engineer with over 20 years of experience in major transportation project design and construction throughout California . Babaki spent 15 years with Caltrans. Carmel Valley resident
• Hamid Bahadori (2-year term): A registered traffic/civil engineer with 25 years of experience, including right-of-way acquisition and large-scale project design and construction management. Currently serving as a representative of the American Automobile Association (AAA). South Orange County resident working  throughout Southern California
• Michael Boyle (4-year term): A local attorney with 25 years of experience in real estate, construction, and environmental law. Torrey Pines resident, working in downtown San Diego
• James Callaghan (2-year term): Vice President of Real Estate and Facilities for QUALCOMM with over 12 years of experience in the acquisition and development of business property, and traffic mitigation and planning for employees. East County resident working in Sorrento Valley
• Doug Gibson (2-year term): Over 15 years of experience as a biological consultant. Gibson served as Executive Director of San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy for nine years, and has significant experience in environmental mitigation land acquisition and restoration. Encinitas resident working in Coastal North County
• John Meyer (4-year term): Thirty-five years of combined experience in finance and administration with San Diego Transit, two toll road authorities, and as a private consultant. Escondido resident
• Jim Ryan (4-year term): Over 30 years of experience in various aspects of the construction industry, including labor relations, safety, and service procurement. Ryan has served as Executive Director of Associated general Contractors in San Diego for the past 5 years. Poway resident working in Sorrento Valley

The screening panel was composed of elected officials from throughout the region, including County Supervisor Chairwoman Pam Slater-Price and Mayors Dick Murphy (San Diego), Steve Padilla (Chula Vista), Lori Holt-Pfeiler (Escondido), Art Madrid (La Mesa), and Bud Lewis (Carlsbad).

Project Manager:
Craig Scott
619-699-1926,