Alexis (Lexi) Matsui

Alexis Matsui is communications and marketing manager at San Francisco Bay Ferry, a regional public transit operator providing ferry service and emergency response in the San Francisco Bay Area. In her current role, she leads passenger communications and marketing efforts to draw new riders to the system and maintain passenger loyalty. Prior to working in public transit, Alexis spent 15 years in communications in Washington, D.C., specializing in multimedia production for public-sector nonprofit organizations, including the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Carolyn M. Gonot

Carolyn Gonot has provided public transportation leadership for more than a quarter century. She built her career over three decades, mostly at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), in leadership roles including Chief Engineering and Program Delivery Officer, Chief BART Program Officer, Chief Development Officer, and Deputy Director of the Congestion Management Program. Her experience delivering capital projects in Silicon Valley led her to become the first woman to lead the Utah Transit Authority, where she served as Executive Director from 2019 to 2021. She returned to VTA as General Manager/CEO in June 2021, guiding the agency through recovery from a deadly mass shooting and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on transit service. As VTA’s General Manager and CEO, she is responsible for 2,400 employees, projects such as the multibillion-dollar BART Silicon Valley Extension Phase II, and programs and transit services serving more than 2 million people who live and work in Silicon Valley. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Penn State University. She supports the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) and has been honored as the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter’s Woman of the Year and named among the Silicon Valley Business Journal’s Power 100.

Christina Villarreal

Christina Villarreal serves as Executive Director of Latinos In Transit (LIT), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing public transportation professionals through leadership development, workforce initiatives, mentorship, scholarships, and strategic industry partnerships across the United States and Canada. She collaborates with state and national transit associations, transit agencies, engineering firms, and private-sector partners to strengthen professional pathways and build a sustainable, prepared industry talent pipeline. Christina represents LIT at conferences, facilitates workshops, and speaks on leadership development, workforce strategies, and economic empowerment. Under her leadership, LIT has strengthened its governance structure, expanded scholarship and mentorship programming, and enhanced educational initiatives supporting career mobility and retention. With 27 years of experience in nonprofit management and public administration, she has led initiatives in workforce development, transportation planning, affordable housing, healthcare systems, and city master planning. She has also served for eight years as a commissioner on the City of Laredo’s Planning and Zoning Historic Landmark Board, contributing to land-use policy, historic preservation, and long-range planning. Her community development work earned her recognition as a two-time Diversity Scholar by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Christina holds a bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, a master’s in Public Administration, and a master’s in Human Services.

Darrell E. Johnson

Darrell E. Johnson is Chief Executive Officer of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), leading an agency of 1,400 professionals delivering transportation solutions for Orange County’s 3.2 million residents. Guided by OCTA’s 17-member Board of Directors, he oversees an annual budget of approximately $2 billion and provides strategic leadership for planning, financing, and delivery of the county’s transportation network, including freeway, street and rail improvements, bus and paratransit service, regional rail, express lanes, active transportation, and environmental programs. Since becoming CEO in 2013, he has maintained balanced budgets, strengthened OCTA’s long-term financial outlook, secured billions of dollars in competitive state and federal funding, and advanced major transportation improvements. His work includes optimizing Measure M, expanding funding partnerships, advancing environmental mitigation and water-quality programs, and accelerating the transition to a zero-emission bus fleet. He has also led transit-system modernization focused on safety, reliability, and passenger experience, including electronic fare payment, free fares for youth and community college students, and expanded community-based and special-event services. He represents OCTA on local, state, and national transportation policy and serves on the boards of the Self-Help Counties Coalition, Mobility 21, and the Orange County Business Council.

Darren Kettle

Darren M. Kettle is Chief Executive Officer of Metrolink, Southern California’s regional passenger rail system serving six counties and nearly 22 million people. Since joining in 2021, he has led the agency’s transformation from a traditional commuter railroad to a modern regional mobility provider through Metrolink Reimagined, focused on expanded service and an enhanced customer experience. Under his leadership, Metrolink has delivered award-winning safety and infrastructure initiatives, including the Union Station Railyard Modernization project and pioneering safety technologies. Darren spent 14 years as Executive Director of the Ventura County Transportation Commission, overseeing multimodal improvements and regional partnerships. He previously held senior roles at the San Bernardino Associated Governments and the Riverside County Transportation Commission. Nationally, he serves on the boards of the Commuter Rail Coalition and Mobility 21 and has testified before Congress on the future of passenger rail.

Javier Panzar

Javier Panzar is a Marketing Representative on the Communications Team at BART. He is the lead social content creator and manages the website. Before that, he spent 10 years at the Los Angeles Times as a reporter and a social media audience engagement editor. He was born and raised in Oakland and is a proud Berkeley grad. Go Bears.

Juan Matute

Juan Matute is Deputy Director of the UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS), where he manages the institute’s professional researchers and support staff. He is an expert on California transit, funding, and transportation policy and has long connected university research with real-world transportation decisions. In 2023, he was appointed to the California Transit Transformation Task Force. At UCLA, he has taught graduate courses on urban planning and environmental laws, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). He has served on civic boards, including Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., and the Santa Monica Audit Subcommittee. Juan holds an MBA and a master’s degree in Urban Planning from UCLA and a bachelor’s degree from Pomona College. He lives in Santa Monica with his family, where they regularly walk, bike, and use transit.

Kevin Catlin

Kevin Catlin is President and Managing Partner at Insight Strategies. His expertise includes organizational and leadership development, strategic thinking, management skills, and building high-performing teams. He is a Marshall Goldsmith Certified Master Coach and has helped clients from mid-manager to CEO level achieve their goals. Insight Strategies has worked with more than 70 transit and transportation industry clients and is certified as a small business enterprise (SBE) and women’s business enterprise (WBE) in California. A serial entrepreneur, Kevin owned and led three companies before becoming managing partner at Insight Strategies. His clients have included MBTA, LA Metro, Oracle, Omnitrans, LBT, GET Bakersfield, the Eno Center for Transportation, Tyco, and Parker Aerospace. A former U.S. Army soldier, he brings a hands-on, deeply engaged approach to client projects and combines humor with candor in his courseware, coaching, and leadership philosophy.

Laura Merryfield

Laura Merryfield is a Project Leader at Partners for Public Good (PPG), supporting government staff to plan, procure, and deliver public infrastructure and transportation projects. For the Equity in Infrastructure Project, Laura led development of the Playbook for Prosperity and delivered training and technical assistance to more than 100 signatory agencies. Before joining PPG at its launch in February 2025, Laura spent four years at the Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab, leading research, transformation, and education projects focused on improving operational processes, increasing vendor engagement, and empowering government leaders. Their community-organizing roots and more than a decade of experience in policy advocacy and implementation inform their commitment to elevating constituent voices in decision-making. Laura holds a Master in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and is based in Long Beach, California.

Laura Posadas

Laura Posadas is a Public Communication Specialist at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), where she has transformed the agency’s digital presence across Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and X. Blending brand awareness with cultural trends, she develops campaigns designed to stop the scroll and drive meaningful engagement. She spearheaded social media strategy and production for VTA’s Super Bowl, FIFA World Cup, capital projects, and light rail construction campaigns, generating record-breaking metrics for the agency. A passionate mentor to her peers, Laura follows a simple philosophy: one size does not fit all. In a crowded digital environment, she works to make public transportation stand out.

Melissa Figueroa

Melissa brings nearly 25 years of experience in media, crisis communications, public affairs, and outreach to her role at Calkin Public Affairs. She has worked on strategic communications surrounding some of California’s most high-profile transportation policy issues. Appointed by both the Brown and Newsom administrations, Melissa helped lead communications for the successful passage of Senate Bill 1 in 2017 and the opening of the new east span of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge. Other career highlights include coordinating interagency emergency response for natural disasters and supporting strategic communications for California’s High-Speed Rail program. Her experience spans newsrooms, the Legislature, the Executive Branch, and the private sector.

Michael Turner

Michael Turner is Senior Executive Officer for Government Relations at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. He manages the agency’s Government Relations Department, a team of nine professionals working with contract lobbyists in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento to advocate on state and federal legislation affecting transportation and transportation funding. He directly implements the state legislative function, including communication with the 37 members of the Los Angeles County Legislative Delegation, the Governor’s Office, and state agencies. He has worked on Metro-sponsored legislation involving infrastructure financing, innovative project delivery, congestion pricing, and the legislation authorizing Measure R. He is active in statewide transportation groups and has helped develop consensus on major regional transportation issues. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UCLA and a master’s degree in Urban Planning from USC.

Michelle Overmeyer

Michelle Overmeyer spent nine years managing Monterey-Salinas Transit’s grant portfolio before moving into her current role in 2019. She is Director of Planning & Innovation and coordinates transit planning with the 13 jurisdictions served by MST. She oversees innovative partnerships with local community colleges and California State University Monterey Bay. Michelle managed MST’s Comprehensive Operations Analysis from 2020 to 2022 and implementation of the resulting Better Bus Network. She has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Planning from Sonoma State University and serves on the California Transit Association’s Legislative Committee. Outside work, she enjoys time with her husband, visiting their son in Boston, hiking California’s central coast with her border collie, and volunteering on a local nonprofit’s board of directors.

Roland Cordero

Roland Cordero, Foothill Transit’s Director of Maintenance and Vehicle Technology, is responsible for procuring, deploying and ensuring the maintenance of transit vehicles and all related technology. Roland has 23 years of experience working in the transit industry in varying capacities from finance, operations, facilities and fleet maintenance. Roland has been involved in the deployment of Foothill Transit’s electric bus project and full-electrification initiative since 2010. Foothill Transit has a fleet of 17 battery-electric buses, two double-deck battery electric buses, two in-route charging stations located at the and Azusa Intermodal Transit Center and 16 in-depot chargers. Roland implemented a 33-hydrogen fuel cell bus and fueling infrastructure project at Foothill Transit’s Pomona bus yard completed in June of 2023. Roland holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from California State University – Los Angeles and an MBA from University of Phoenix. A proud alumnus of Leadership APTA (American Public Transportation Association) Executive Development Program and ENO Transit Senior Executive Program. He also earned a certificate in FTA Environmental and Sustainability Management from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Ruth Bernstein

Ruth Bernstein is Senior Principal at EMC Research with more than three decades of experience in opinion research. She leads polling on a wide variety of political, policy, and marketing projects. She is especially proud of her work helping elect women and people of color to elected office and securing voter approval for education, transportation, housing, and environmental protection. Ruth lives in San Francisco and roots passionately for the Giants and the Valkyries.

Emily Loper

Emily Loper is Vice President of Public Policy at the Bay Area Council, where she leads the Council’s transportation policy portfolio. She joined the Council in 2014. In 2018, she advocated for the successful passage of Regional Measure 3, a $4.5 billion plan to invest in transportation projects across the Bay Area, and led advocacy to secure significant funding for regional ferry service. She is co-leading the Regional Transit Measure campaign to pass a five-county sales tax measure to avoid severe public transit service cuts while requiring better, more efficient service. She also works with transportation technology companies to promote regional mobility. Loper holds an MPA from USC and a BA in Political Science and International Relations from UCLA. An East Bay native, she lives in Oakland with her husband and two sons.

Otis Greer

With more than 25 years of community engagement, advocacy, and communications experience, Otis Greer is a leader in government affairs and stakeholder relations. As Deputy Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships for the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, he oversees Legislative Public Affairs, Planning, and Procurement. Previously, he worked with the County of San Bernardino and directed community outreach, stakeholder relations, and event operations for 13 years at Auto Club Speedway. He has served on numerous boards and foundations, including the UCR Alumni Association, Chaffey College Foundation, and Fontana Chamber, and currently serves on the Children’s Fund board. Greer is a graduate of UC Riverside and CSU San Bernardino.

Anthony Adams

A native of Southern Louisiana, Anthony moved to California at age 15. After discovering that roadway design could include sidewalks and bike lanes, he developed a passion for transportation planning. Anthony has contributed to several first-of-their-kind initiatives, including the first adopted Bike/Ped Master Plan for Lake Charles, a Countywide Vision Zero Plan for Solano, and a Safe Routes to Transit Plan and Mobility Hub Implementation Plan in Sacramento. He is currently working to advance SacRT 2050, the agency’s 25-year long-range transit plan.

Eugene Kim

Eugene Kim, Ph.D., is a Senior Vice President and District Manager for STV Incorporated, where he leads growth, strategy, and financial performance for the firm’s Transportation West group in the Southwest region. He brings more than 25 years of experience in transit and rail planning and design, program management, and infrastructure delivery. Earlier in his career, he served as Deputy Executive Officer in LA Metro’s Mobility Corridors group, overseeing light rail and bus rapid transit projects from early planning through preliminary engineering. A product of California’s public university system, Dr. Kim earned degrees at UC Berkeley and UC Irvine and a Ph.D. in Urban Planning at UCLA. He is an Eno Transportation Fellow and has served on the MPact Transit & Community National Steering Committee and the UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies Advisory Board. He co-founded Asian American Leadership in Mobility (AALM) and serves as its president.

Georgia Gann Dohrmann

Georgia Gann Dohrmann is the Assistant Director for Legislation and External Affairs at the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). Before joining MTC and ABAG, she served as Deputy Director for Federal Affairs for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, working on transportation, housing, and economic development policy. She previously served as a U.S. Senate legislative staffer and Deputy Director of Government Affairs for Transportation for America. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Economy of Industrial Societies from UC Berkeley.

Joseph “Billy” Burgen

Joseph Burgen is the Assets and Facilities Division Manager at Fresno Area Express (FAX). He has held the Division Manager role for four years and previously served as Chief of Facilities for three years. Before joining transit, he worked as an industrial electrician for the City of Fresno for 17 years. He oversees FAX facilities, maintenance, electric bus and vehicle charging infrastructure, CNG fueling equipment, bus wash facilities, solar systems, emergency generators, and more than 1,700 bus stops throughout Fresno. His work includes facility inspections and transit asset management to optimize asset life cycles, uptime, and operating costs.

Joseph M. Sanchez

Joseph joined the Antelope Valley Transit Authority in May 2022 as a Maintenance Compliance Analyst for the nation’s first all-electric battery bus fleet. He monitored vehicle performance and shared data with Maintenance, Operations, and the Board of Directors. He now supports data analysis as Transit Asset Management Plan Coordinator and Operations and Contracts Compliance Manager. Before transit, Joseph spent 16 years in hospitality management. He studied English Literature at UCLA, with an emphasis in Environmental Systems and Society.

Julie Kirschbaum

Julie Kirschbaum has served as the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s Director of Transportation since February 2025. She oversees Muni, parking, traffic engineering, bicycle and pedestrian safety, transportation accessibility, and taxi regulation for the City and County of San Francisco. Her priorities include achieving financial stability, building trust with local communities, and supporting agency staff. During her tenure, Muni achieved its highest customer satisfaction rating in 25 years.

Lisa Rheinheimer

Lisa Rheinheimer joined Monterey-Salinas Transit District in 2014, bringing more than a decade of experience in transit and transportation planning. As Deputy CEO, she provides strategic leadership for planning, marketing, capital projects, and finance. She oversees a budget exceeding $75 million, including the SURF! Busway and Bus Rapid Transit project, and planning for a new, expanded Salinas Operations and Maintenance Facility.

Dr. Manjit K. Sooch

Dr. Manjit Sooch is a nationally recognized leader in data governance and digital transformation in public transit. As Director of Innovation and Technology at AC Transit, she leads enterprise technology strategy, advances analytics maturity, and prepares the organization for AI-driven innovation. She chairs the APTA Innovation Peer Exchange and Data Governance Subcommittee. Dr. Sooch holds a Doctor of Business Administration, an MBA in IT Management, and a bachelor’s degree in business and software engineering.

Philip Patino

Philip Patino is Senior Director of Maintenance Operations at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). With more than 24 years of experience in bus fleet maintenance, he brings extensive knowledge of fleet operations, mechanical systems, and maintenance management. He oversees maintenance operations, develops strategies to improve fleet reliability, and promotes employee and public safety.

Dr. Pretty George

Dr. Pretty George is a technology executive with more than 15 years of experience in information technology strategy, business and digital transformation, and organizational innovation. She joined Long Beach Transit in 2024 as Executive Director and Vice President of Information Technology. Throughout her career, she has led IT teams and enterprise technology initiatives in financial management, human capital management, business applications, and cybersecurity, with a focus on modernization, operational efficiency, and user experience.

Dr. Rajit Gadh

Dr. Rajit Gadh is Co-founder and Chief Disruptor of MOEV Inc. and a professor at UCLA. MOEV develops AI- and machine-learning-powered software for transit bus fleets, coordinating charging and fueling, yard management, and dispatch through operational data, predictive analytics, and alerts. Dr. Gadh earned degrees from IIT Kanpur, Cornell University, and Carnegie Mellon University. He has delivered invited talks in more than 30 countries and has received numerous research and engineering honors.

Rob Padgette

Rob Padgette is Managing Director of the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, which manages intercity rail service between Auburn/Sacramento and San Jose. He has 30 years of multimodal transportation experience in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and California. Since joining Capitol Corridor in 2018, the agency has upgraded onboard Wi-Fi, implemented enhanced passenger information displays with GTFS real-time data, and piloted an intercity rail open-loop Tap2Ride fare collection program. He previously served as Deputy Executive Director of the Northeast Corridor Commission.

Sabah Lone

Sabah Lone is a Technical Solutions Consultant with Vontas with more than 15 years of experience in public transportation. She holds a master’s degree in International Politics from the University of London and a bachelor’s degree from Trent University in Ontario, Canada. Her work across agencies and vendors in the United States and Canada focuses on Intelligent Transportation Systems, VoIP, and yard management.

Sasha Pejcic

Sasha Pejcic is a transit industry leader with 24 years of experience helping public transportation agencies across North America improve operations, customer experience, service delivery, and mobility. As Vice President of Transit – North America at Steer, he leads strategic advisory services focused on transit planning, operational performance, fleet modernization, infrastructure, and technology integration. He has supported more than 150 transit projects, including more than 70 zero-emission bus initiatives.

Bisi Ibrahim

Bisi Ibrahim is the Innovation and Technology Manager at SolTrans, where she leads engineers and analysts and oversees vendor partnerships that translate operational goals into viable technology solutions. In addition to onboard technology solutions, her portfolio includes comprehensive operational analysis, IT policy, and facility network infrastructure oversight.

Her work focuses on translating agency and rider requirements into practical systems, with attention to data quality, process efficiency, interoperability, maintainability, and regulatory reporting. At SolTrans, she has supported the agency's zero-emission transition from its early planning stages.

She earned a degree in Human Biology from Stanford University, where she also studied computer science and played rugby for the university and U.S. national women's teams.

Siddharth Singh

Siddharth “Sid” Singh is a seasoned enterprise technology leader with over 20 years of experience driving measurable operational impact through data and artificial intelligence. As Chief Revenue Officer at Intangles, Sid partners with major trucking fleets, transit agencies, and asset-intensive organizations across North America to improve reliability, safety, and maintenance outcomes using predictive analytics and real-world operational intelligence. Sid brings deep expertise in deploying complex technology solutions across cross-functional teams, including operations, IT, and finance, within highly regulated environments such as transportation and public infrastructure. He is passionate about translating advanced data science into practical, high-value business outcomes that reduce risk, optimize performance, and future-proof critical systems. A strategic thinker and trusted advisor, Sid is known for his ability to bridge technical innovation with commercial execution, helping organizations leverage AI and analytics to solve their most pressing operational challenges.

Satinder Bhalla

Bio coming soon.

Tom Pascarella

Thomas Pascarella is the Director of Fleet and Facilities Maintenance for the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, bringing more than 25 years of experience in vehicle and facilities maintenance. He joined MTS in an entry-level position and advanced to Journeyman Diesel Technician before assuming leadership of fleet and facilities maintenance. A third-generation mechanic, Tom began his career in his family’s automotive repair business in New York and also worked as a general contractor. He focuses on safety, reliability, performance, and operational improvement.

Ulf Heywang

Ulf Heywang is a Principal at DB E.C.O. North America, where he helps U.S. transportation organizations apply Deutsche Bahn’s experience in rolling stock asset management and maintenance. With more than 20 years of mobility consulting and operational leadership experience, he specializes in transformation, innovation, planning, portfolio management, and asset life-cycle management. He has led investment portfolio management and maintenance planning for one of Germany’s largest railway districts. He holds master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from RWTH Aachen University and general engineering from École Centrale Paris.

Mike Tobin

Mike serves as Director of Operations & Planning for the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA), where he oversees fixed-route and paratransit services throughout the Tri-Valley region. He is responsible for managing the agency's fixed-route operations and maintenance contract, paratransit contract, and a range of planning, information technology, and facilities initiatives.

Mike began his transit career as an intern with Access Services, the ADA paratransit provider for Los Angeles County. After earning his bachelor's degree, he held operations and planning roles at Foothill Transit and the City of Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus, where he served as Senior Transit Operations Analyst. Prior to joining LAVTA, Mike served as Deputy Transportation Officer for the City of Culver City.

Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration.

Simon Herrera

Bio coming soon.

Hitham Hamdon

Hitham Hamdon serves as Deputy General Manager of Bus at Golden Gate Transit, overseeing bus operations, maintenance, scheduling, and administration. During his 11 years with the agency, he has progressed from bus operator to senior leadership, holding positions including Dispatcher, Operations Analyst, Operations Control Center Manager, and Director of Business Operations.

His experience spans service delivery, workforce management, budgeting and cost control, labor relations and negotiations, and interagency agreements. His expertise in transit scheduling includes service planning and design, timetable development, vehicle blocking, run cutting, operator rostering, and resource deployment.

David Lazerwitz

David Lazerwitz is a transit electrification and infrastructure leader with more than 18 years of experience in project management, construction management, and energy infrastructure. As Vice President of Clean Mobility at Accenture Construct, he supports public-sector clients in planning and delivering complex zero-emission fleet and charging infrastructure programs, from concept and design through procurement and construction. David has overseen EV infrastructure projects at more than 100 sites and brings experience from both the owner and contractor perspectives. His work includes major transit electrification programs for LA Metro and other California transit agencies, with a focus on charging infrastructure, utility coordination, alternative delivery, and implementation of zero-emission bus facilities.

Leslie Rogers

Bio coming soon.

Seannice Archie

Seannice Archie began her career at Riverside Transit Agency as a Coach Operator on October 9, 2015. In 2024, she became a mentor with the RAMP 22 Mentorship Program, driven by her passion for supporting others and sharing her knowledge and experience. In January 2025, she stepped into a role as Co-Coordinator. In April 2026, she was promoted from Co-Coordinator to Coordinator, where she has continued to dedicate her time and leadership to strengthening and expanding the program. With nearly two years of experience as a coordinator, Seannice remains committed to building meaningful relationships, encouraging teamwork, and creating a supportive environment where employees can learn, grow, and succeed. Her dedication to RAMP 22 reflects her strong belief in mentorship and her commitment to making a lasting, positive impact on RTA and its employees.

John Van Camp

John Van Camp serves as Acting Chief Operating Officer for San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD), a position he assumed on September 28, 2026. He provides executive leadership and oversight of the agency’s Maintenance, Facilities, Transportation, Customer Service, and Mobility departments, supporting safe, reliable, and efficient public transportation.

John joined RTD in February 2014 as a Maintenance Supervisor and was promoted to Assistant Maintenance Superintendent in June 2022 and Maintenance Superintendent in February 2024. In that role, he oversaw fleet maintenance operations, vehicle procurement, capital projects, contract administration, and labor relations. He has contributed to fleet modernization initiatives, operational improvements, and the agency’s commitment to safety and service reliability.

Before joining RTD, John served as a Shop Foreman at Cummins for nine years, gaining experience in diesel technology, maintenance operations, and personnel management. He is an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)-certified mechanic, a graduate of the University of the Pacific’s Transit Paratransit Certificate Program, and a certified instructor through the California Regional Transit Training Consortium in basic and advanced electricity and Cummins Fuel Systems.

Sal Llamas

Sal Llamas is a seasoned public service professional with over three decades of experience, beginning his career in the United States Marine Corps in 1992 and later transitioning to public transportation in Los Angeles County and the San Francisco East Bay. His extensive background in transit operations spans more than 32 years, marked by a commitment to operational excellence and innovative leadership. Sal’s career journey began as a floor mechanic in the U.S. Marines. He progressively advanced to leadership roles, eventually managing operations at AC Transit, California’s largest bus-only transit agency. His career trajectory includes various leadership positions at LA Metro from 1999 to 2012, and at AC Transit, culminating in his role as AC Transit’s General Manager/CEO. His passion lies in merging innovation with human creativity to enhance asset and performance management, with a strong focus on safety and efficiency. Sal actively collaborates with transit professionals to implement measurable improvements that are centered on community needs. Sal is also an engaged member of several transit organizations at both the national and state levels. He serves on the Board of Directors for the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and participates in various committees, including those focused on bus operations and zero-emission fleets. His contributions extend to the California Transit Association, where he serves on multiple committees, including the Executive Committee. Educationally, Sal is a graduate of the APTA Leadership Program and the Eno Center for Transportation-Transit Senior Executive Program. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. His dedication to the future of transit leadership is evident in his mentorship efforts, including his role as a Board Member of the American Public Transportation Foundation and previously as Vice President of the Board for Latinos In Transit.

Allison Joe

Allison Joe was appointed as Deputy Secretary for Equity & Workforce at the California State Transportation Agency by Governor Gavin Newsom in December 2024. In this role, Allison focuses on supporting transportation solutions that benefit all communities, and the workforce needs to provide mobility and transport options for all. Prior to this, Allison was instrumental in shaping policies to support clean transportation options, affordable housing, and economic development in the City of Sacramento as the Senior Advisor to former Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Councilmember Jay Schenirer. Additionally, Allison played a significant role in implementing the California Climate Investments (CCI) program as the Deputy Director of the California Strategic Growth Council and as a Senior Planner at the Governor’s Office of Planning & Research under Governor Jerry Brown. Allison earned a Master’s in Planning from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from Claremont McKenna College.

Brendan Harney

Brendan Harney is President & CEO of Camber Charging, which delivers turnkey charging infrastructure for transit agencies and commercial fleets, from hardware and installation to charge management software and ongoing service. Before Camber, Brendan was Vice President & General Manager of Proterra Energy. Earlier, he led business development for the Energy Data Platform at Shell New Energies and held senior commercial roles at Stem, Primus Power, and SolarCity, spanning solar, storage, and energy software. He began his career in finance at Daiwa SMBC, then worked on energy and national security policy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., and the International Energy Forum in Riyadh. Brendan holds a Master of Science from Georgetown University and an MBA from the University of Cambridge.

Carl G. Sedoryk

Carl G. Sedoryk is General Manager/Chief Executive Officer for the Monterey-Salinas Transit District, a small urban/rural transit operator, and has worked within the public transit industry since 1988. Carl started with Monterey-Salinas Transit in June 2000 as Assistant General Manager and was promoted to CEO in September 2005. Under the guidance of the District Board of Directors, which represents the 13 jurisdictions within the County of Monterey, Carl is responsible for leading his team of 350 direct and contract employees in providing safe, convenient and affordable mobility throughout the vast California Central Coast region, which comprises an area equivalent to one-fifth of the entire state coastline. Carl actively participates in the leadership of the California Transit Association and American Public Transportation Association, ensuring the interests of small urban and rural transit operators in general are represented, and is a frequent speaker at transportation and mobility conferences. In his spare time, Carl is an underemployed multi-instrumentalist, volunteer martial arts instructor, and recent pickleball convert.

Adriana Ring

Ms. Ring is the Supportive Services Manager and Program Specialist for the Southern Region of California at the Caltrans Office of Civil Rights, Small Business, and Workforce Development Center. In this role, she collaborates closely with industry partners and stakeholders to develop and administer supportive services and assistance programs tailored to minority, disadvantaged, and women-owned business enterprises. Her work is driven by a strong commitment to public service and a passion for empowering underrepresented communities to succeed.

Throughout her career, Ms. Ring has made significant contributions to the public sector. One of her notable achievements is the expansion of the Heavy Equipment Operator Academy program across California's three Caltrans regions. Her leadership and dedication have been instrumental in establishing nine academies statewide, providing valuable training and opportunities for individuals pursuing careers in heavy equipment operation.

With over a decade of experience in public service, Ms. Ring has held various roles in state agencies, demonstrating her versatility and commitment to serving the people of California. At the State Treasurer's Office, she worked on government funding assistance programs within the Public Finance Division, helping to secure financial resources for essential public initiatives. Additionally, her work with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation focused on ensuring healthcare access for incarcerated patients, highlighting her dedication to improving the quality of life for all Californians.

Ms. Ring's career is marked by a profound sense of duty and a desire to make a lasting impact. Her expertise in program management, coupled with her passion for helping underserved populations, has left an indelible mark on the communities she serves. She continues to strive for excellence, driven by the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.

Kevin Nguyen

Kevin Nguyen is an Application Engineer at Optibus, where for the past seven years he has worked with transit agencies and operators across North America to turn their operational requirements into delivered product. His work covers discovery, solution design, technical evaluation and implementation across planning, scheduling, workforce management and real-time operations. Kevin began his career in data science, then built and deployed software across payment systems and DevOps for the high tech and hospitality industries. He applies that same discipline to transit today, where reliability is measured in service delivered rather than systems deployed.

Rich Diaz

Jorge A. Ovando Zalapa

Jorge A. Ovando Zalapa is the Director of Information Technology at Santa Cruz METRO, where he leads IT operations, cybersecurity strategy, and intelligent transportation systems. With more than 21 years of IT leadership across transit, healthcare, higher education, government, and the U.S. Air Force, he has led enterprise initiatives including electronic health record implementations, network infrastructure modernization, and data analytics platforms. Jorge holds a Master of Science in Information Technology from CSU Fullerton.

Abby Smith

Abby Smith is the Schedules and Services Analyst at Marin County Transit District, where she develops fixed-route schedules, coordinates service changes, creates detour plans, and oversees contractor operations. She also manages the agency’s General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) feed and helps strengthen the reliability of its backend transit service data. Her work connects planning, operations, technology, and marketing to ensure service information is accurate and reliable for riders and agency staff.

Before joining Marin Transit, Abby gained experience through internships at the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and Kimley-Horn. As a daily transit rider, she understands the importance of accurate passenger-facing information and is committed to delivering the best possible rider experience for Marin Transit customers.

Lisa Reed

Lisa Reed has been a transit operator with Golden Gate Transit for nine years. Born and raised in the Bay Area, she spent seven years attending school and living on the East Coast before returning to the region.

Outside of work, Lisa enjoys traveling, hiking, and swimming. She met her husband the day after graduating from high school, and together they have two children and a cat named Mittens. One of her favorite vacations was a trip to Menton, France, last summer.

Young-Gi Harabedian

Bio coming soon.

Monica Bouldin

Monica Bouldin is Deputy Chief, Customer Experience at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). Since joining Metro in September 2022, she has overseen the Creative and Brand, Marketing, Revenue Generation, and Partnerships teams.

Before joining Metro, Monica was Director of Marketing and Partnerships for Metrolink, Southern California’s regional passenger rail service. She co-led ridership recovery campaigns and launched Metrolink’s SoCal Explorer loyalty program.

Monica began her career in entertainment as an original public relations team member launching the Fox Broadcasting Company network, working on shows including “America’s Most Wanted,” “COPS,” “21 Jump Street,” “In Living Color,” and “The Simpsons.” At Warner Bros., she worked on licensing programs and Studio Store initiatives involving Looney Tunes, DC Comics, Cartoon Network, Hanna-Barbera, and Turner Classics.

From 2000 to 2022, Monica held regional and international leadership roles at Ruder Finn, Ogilvy, Edelman, Hill + Knowlton Strategies, and R&R Partners, serving clients in the automotive, travel and hospitality, entertainment, technology, and consumer-packaged goods industries. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from California State University, Fullerton.

Kara Chiu

Kara Chiu is the Branch Chief of the Fleet Management Program within the Division of Rail at the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). She joined Caltrans nearly five years ago as a Transportation Planner in the Intercity Rail Operations Support–JPA Coordination Branch.

In her current role, Kara leads working groups focused on maintenance and overhauls and manages the F59PHI midlife overhaul and bi-level fleet modernization programs within her branch.

Paul Pendergast

Paul Pendergast, CEO of Pendergast Consulting Group, is an internationally recognized public affairs expert with over 30 years of practical experience in strategic communications and economic development programs for major multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects. His key projects include the Salesforce Transit Center, the Presidio Parkway Project, California High Speed Rail, Bay Area Rapid Transit’s Small Business Support Services Program, Seattle’s Sound Transit, Los Angeles World Airports, and the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge. He is frequently asked to present at transportation industry conferences, including the Transportation Research Board (TRB) in Washington, D.C., and the Western Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (WASHTO).

He has advocated for small, minority, women, veteran, and LGBT businesses for nearly his entire career. He is a founder of BuildIT, an industry association dedicated to the sustainable development of LGBT/allied firms in architecture, engineering, construction services, and related industries, where he serves as President of the Board of Directors. He leads BuildIT’s activities across its West Coast, North America, and Global divisions.

Marina Chakmakjian

Marina Chakmakjian is a Communications and Media Spokesperson for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), specializing in media relations and strategic communications. She excels at identifying compelling stories and pitching positive news coverage that highlights the agency’s programs, achievements, and community impact. An accomplished writer, Marina develops press releases, blogs, and internal communications that inform and engage diverse audiences. Her expertise in social media strategy, from concept development to execution, has earned VTA awards from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and helped the agency connect with the communities it serves. An experienced public speaker, Marina has presented to large audiences on community outreach, public safety, and building internal buy-in for communications and social media initiatives. She brings a relationship-centered approach to storytelling that strengthens connections and builds public trust.

Stephanie Doughty

Stephanie Doughty is Vice President of IT Operations and Professional Services at MV Transportation, with more than 27 years of experience spanning technology operations, professional services, and strategic leadership. She leads initiatives that drive business growth, optimize transit operations, and enhance the passenger experience through cloud solutions, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Her accomplishments include starting the professional services organization at MV and driving double-digit revenue growth. She also led a driver engagement application deployment that expanded to more than 10,000 drivers through successful leadership and change management efforts.

Before joining MV, Stephanie held leadership roles at McAfee, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, and EDS. She holds an MBA in Information Technology and Human Resources from the University of Oklahoma and a BBA in Management from Texas Tech University.

Danielle Schmitz

Danielle Schmitz is a transportation professional with over 19 years of experience and currently serves as the Executive Director of Napa Valley Transportation Authority. In this position, Danielle is responsible for managing NVTA’s day-to-day operations, including the Vine Transit system, the sole public transit provider for Napa County, serving fixed-route, on-demand, and paratransit services. She also oversees NVTA’s programming, planning, funding and grant management, marketing, and public outreach. This includes oversight of the county’s half-cent transportation sales tax, which generates approximately $25 million a year for Napa County’s local streets and roads. Danielle is a Napa Valley native and currently resides in the City of Napa with her husband and three young children.

Alaric Degrafinried

Alaric Degrafinried is a public-sector leader with extensive experience in procurement, contract administration, and organizational leadership across San Francisco city government and the Bay Area’s public transportation agencies. He currently serves as the Director of Compliance at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), where his work supports effective, accountable public contracting and agency operations.

Previously, Alaric served as Assistant General Manager of Administration at the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), overseeing procurement, labor relations, and human resources. He also served as Acting Director of San Francisco Public Works, leading the department through a challenging period and advancing reforms to strengthen contracting transparency, accountability, and public trust. As San Francisco’s City Purchaser, he oversaw citywide purchasing and contracting, following earlier leadership of contract administration at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and the San Francisco Human Rights Commission.

Throughout his career, Alaric has worked to strengthen public procurement through greater transparency, effective oversight, and improved opportunities for businesses to compete for public contracts. His experience across municipal government, utilities, and transit informs his commitment to contracting practices that broaden competition, support a diverse and capable vendor community, and deliver better value for public agencies and the communities they serve.