The City of Vacaville announces, after two decades of service, that Public Works Director Brian McLean will retire on December 19, 2025. As part of this leadership transition, City Engineer Brian Oxley will be appointed as the next public works director, ensuring a seamless succession and continued focus on operational excellence.
McLean began his career with the City of Vacaville in 2005 as transit coordinator, having come from the private sector. In this role, he helped modernize local transit service and implement cleaner, more efficient operations. He was promoted to Public Works Manager in 2012 and later to Superintendent in 2015, overseeing citywide maintenance and infrastructure programs. In 2020, he was appointed Deputy Director of Public Works, Maintenance, followed by Assistant Director in 2022, before being named Director of Public Works later that same year. Throughout his two decades of service to the Vacaville, McLean has been recognized for advancing innovation, operational efficiency, and sustainable public works practices that have strengthened Vacaville’s infrastructure and quality of life.
His accomplishments include:
- Expanding Vacaville City Coach service to 30-minute routes and converting the fleet to compressed natural gas (CNG), followed by a fully electric fleet.
- Earning the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Doris K. Kahn Accessible Transportation Award for leadership in mobility and accessibility.
- Implementing the City’s first GIS-enabled asset management and work order system to modernize field operations.
- Leading Vacaville’s SB 1383 organics recycling implementation, the first in Solano County.
- Securing more than $8 million in funding to expand the Rancho Lagunitas Detention Basin, mitigating regional flooding impacts.
- Installing solar photovoltaic systems at eight City facilities, projected to save $24 million in energy costs over 25 years.
- Seeing through the completion of Jepson Parkway Phase II while securing $6 million dollars towards phase III.
“It has been an incredible honor to serve the Vacaville community,” said Public Works Director Brian McLean. “I’m deeply proud of our team’s accomplishments and the partnerships that made them possible. Vacaville’s future is in capable hands, and I have full confidence in Brian Oxley to continue advancing the department’s mission of providing safe, reliable, and high-quality public services.”
“Brian’s leadership and technical expertise have shaped nearly every aspect of Vacaville’s infrastructure,” said City Manager Savita Chaudhary. “He has built a culture of excellence and accountability that reflects the very best of public service. His work leaves a lasting legacy of sustainability, innovation, and community investment.”
A life-long native of Vacaville, McLean was born at Travis Air Force Base and raised in the City of Vacaville. Married for 24 years to his wife Kris, they are proud parents of two successful adult daughters and four grandchildren. McLean plans to keep himself busy in retirement by managing a hobby ranch, traveling, and spending more quality time with family.
About the City of Vacaville
The City of Vacaville is located 50 miles northeast of San Francisco and 30 miles southwest of Sacramento along the Interstate 80 corridor. Vacaville is a vibrant community in one of the fastest-growing areas of the nation. Vacaville has a population of more than 102,000 with a full-service operation that includes police, fire, water, sewer, community planning, public works, and related professional administrative services. Vacaville is one of California’s most attractive family communities with a historic past deep in culture, and a wealth of amenities with dozens of parks, community centers, museums, public venues, attractions, and events. Vacaville is home to some of the largest and most successful life-science companies in the world, and one of California’s top five premium outlet centers.