Terri A Pencovic
Terri Pencovic is a retired public servant with 39 years of distinguished government service, culminating in her leadership role with the Local Development–Intergovernmental Review (LD-IGR) Statewide Program at Caltrans. As Senior Transportation Planner and Branch Chief within the Division of Transportation Planning, she developed statewide policy, provided technical guidance on land use and environmental law compliance (including NEPA and CEQA), and trained staff across California’s 12 districts. Terri played a key role in shaping smart mobility and climate-conscious planning initiatives, helping local, regional, state, federal, and Tribal partners evaluate development proposals to ensure safe, efficient, and multimodal transportation systems.
Earlier in her career, Terri served as an Associate Environmental Planner with Caltrans and spent nine years as an Associate Fish and Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where she worked on environmental clearances, wetland identification, habitat conservation, and multi-agency restoration efforts. She began her professional journey after earning her education at University of California, Davis, where she studied nutrition science and wildlife and fisheries biology. Over the decades, she built expertise in transportation planning, environmental impact analysis, conservation easements, and intergovernmental coordination, becoming widely respected for her objectivity, professionalism, and technical leadership.
Since retiring in 2016, Terri has focused on fulfilling a lifelong dream—building and operating a 10-acre horse ranch at Dreamcatcher Ranch in Grass Valley, California. A passionate environmental steward and outdoor enthusiast, she remains active in conservation and community service, contributing her knowledge to watershed, trail, and river protection initiatives. Whether advocating for responsible land use, supporting habitat preservation, or mentoring others in public service, Terri’s career reflects a steadfast commitment to protecting natural resources while fostering collaborative, forward-thinking planning solutions.
• BS Nutrition and Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist
• University of California, Davis - BS
• Gold Country Trails Council
• Meals on Wheels Deliveries and Special Events
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my mom, who showed me how hard work and being kind to people can pay off. It was hard work for me - I was not a straight-A student and was a bit of a renegade in high school. But she was a single parent for many years who taught me dedication, and when she and my stepdad sent me to horse camp, I learned so much about staying calm, putting others first, and working hard. I spent 6 years there, teaching horseback riding as a teen, learning to take care of kids and horses and always staying calm because you have to do that with horses. I was very dedicated and tried to always "do the right thing" for our natural environment, so I always felt like I kind of wore a white hat, and that buoyed me through some of the harder times when things weren't going so well, like when we had different governors or presidents who would do "reductions in force". I kept surviving all of that because I had one skill or another, and they said well, maybe we can use you over here even though we've got to get rid of some folks.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Never stop learning. Always research a subject to get a broad perspective.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be afraid to be the first woman to do things. This should earn you confidence in your self, and respect in each of those disciplines, which in turn may open many opportunity doors.
A couple of my examples:
Trained by US Forest Service to fight fires in the early 1970's; working as a teamster by using a pair of horses to do logging in the early 1980's; and doing Caltrans chain control and maintenance on our highways in the early 1990's.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In both my professional and personal life, I value environmental preservation and strive to make responsible, sustainable choices whenever possible. I believe in the importance of hard work and maintaining a strong work ethic, as consistent effort and dedication are key to meaningful achievement.
I also prioritize kindness, integrity, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Acting ethically and treating others with respect guide my decisions, ensuring that I lead with professionalism, composure, and a strong sense of responsibility in every situation.