After nearly two decades with Caltrans, Malcolm Dougherty was appointed acting director of the California Department of Transportation by Governor Jerry Brown on May 17, 2011, and approved by the state Senate in April 2013.

Dougherty graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor of science in Civil Engineering in 1991. He has worked for Caltrans since 1992, beginning as a transportation engineer and later serving as an associate senior and a supervising transportation engineer. His management positions in design, project management, maintenance and traffic operations.

On August 6, 2006, Dougherty assumed the post of  district director of the District 6/Central Region. In that capacity, he was responsible for planning, project management and maintenance for the five counties within the district, as well as the capital project delivery program for Central California.

Dougherty was named chief deputy director on June 7, 2010, advising Director Cindy McKim regarding all aspects of Caltrans' policy and operations.

As deputy director, Dougherty was embroiled briefly in a Caltrans ruckus over a memo he sent on October 28, 2010, indicating that some union employees would be subject to furlough until union members ratified a new contract. Another department official issued a retraction the next day.

He is married and has three children.

Malcolm Dougherty (Caltrans website)

Dougherty Named Acting Director of California DOT (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials)

Caltrans Announces Appointment of New District Director (Caltrans website)

Caltrans Reels in Furlough Memo (by Job Ortiz, Sacramento Bee)