Paul Cavanaugh is a fourth generation San Joaquin County resident.   Paul is a Delta College alumnus, having attended the college from 1968 through 1970. He went on to receive his Civil Engineering degree from California State University, Chico in 1973. Paul eventually became a registered Civil Engineer in 1976.

From1973 to 1991, Paul worked for three private engineering consulting firms, specializing in commercial and residential land development in Stockton, Lodi, Manteca and Tracy. In the mid 80’s, Paul received a research grant to adapt subsurface soil conductance measuring electronics for the delta levee systems.   Paul and his partner went on to survey 800 miles of delta levee systems. He helped identify levee conditions that could lead to levee failure if not treated by various traditional methods.

In 1991, Paul decided to try the public sector engineering field after a dip in the economy reduced the housing development market. Paul signed on with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 10 office in Stockton.   He specialized in traffic safety and operations of the State Highway System.   In 1998, the Sacramento Headquarters office of Caltrans recruited Paul to oversee the statewide Encroachment Permit Program. Accomplishments included improved cost recovery and securing new resources for the program.  By 1999, Paul became a registered Traffic Engineer.   In 2002, Caltrans added new responsibilities for Paul and his staff to regulate the State’s outdoor advertising industry.  

In 2006, Paul returned to the private sector to be the Assistant Director of Engineering for a new branch office of Mid Valley Engineering in Stockton.   Paul served land development clients in San Joaquin County and Northern Nevada and obtained professional registration in Nevada and Arizona during that time.

Paul Cavanaugh is currently is the City Engineer for Galt.   His most important project is the new Central Galt Interchange on State Highway 99.   Construction is scheduled to begin August of 2010 and last two years.

Paul has been married for over 28 years to his wife Kathleen.   Daughter Aine, (pronounced On-yah) graduated from CSUS and is currently employed at Doctor’s Hospital in Modesto. Aine is also perusing her Nursing Masters. Son Mark graduated from Cal Poly SLO in Industrial Engineering, and is employed by Cisco Systems.   Daughter Maura (pronounced More- rah) is a sophomore at California State University at Chico with a major in Interior Design.

Paul Cavanaugh’s hobbies include summer camping, fly fishing, sailboat racing in the Delta and vegetable gardening.