Wilcox Brings Wealth of Local Government Experience to SACOG

With more than 25 years’ experience in local government finance, SACOG’s new Director of Finance Karen Wilcox understands the issues facing cities and counties in the Sacramento region today.

She has seen first-hand the challenges SACOG members struggle with at budget time and throughout the year as they try to plan and deliver services without knowing how much revenue to expect from local, state and federal sources. The uncertainty shows little sign of improving as state and federal lawmakers grapple with their own budget deficits.

“It’s absolutely the biggest challenge today,” says Wilcox, who joined SACOG as interim Director of Finance in April. “You have communities that need services, planning, public safety, and transportation projects – very real needs. How do you balance these needs against the uncertainty of revenue streams today?”

Prior to joining the SACOG staff, Wilcox owned her own consulting business, Gov’t Finance Consulting. She spent more than 25 years in local government finance, working as assistant finance director for several cities including Davis, Martinez and Cathedral City. She also served in various government finance posts in Soldotna, Alaska, with the Kenai Peninsula Borough.

Molly Wright Joins SACOG as Junior Planner

Molly Wright joined SACOG in July as a junior planner in the Transportation Demand Management Program. With experience in both transportation advocacy and planning, Wright will focus on ways to encourage people to use alternative modes of transportation including carpooling, vanpooling and bicycle commuting.

Wright says working for SACOG will allow her to combine two subjects she is passionate about. “I’ve been involved in bicycle advocacy most of my adult life,” Wright said. “That combined with my interest in planning makes this job a perfect fit.”

Prior to joining SACOG, Ms. Wright worked as a community planner with FORCAST, the Fair Oaks and Orangevale Community Area Service Team, and the Planning and Community Development Department of the County of Sacramento’s Long Range Planning Division. She also served as an intern planner with the City of Davis Planning Department, and worked as a pedestrian and bicycle coordination assistant for the City of Madison, Wisconsin. In addition, she helped market Bike to Work Week for the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin and helped produce a community radio news program.

Ms. Wright earned a master’s degree in community and regional development from UC Davis in 2004.