60th Annual Fall Conference & Expo

Transit's Signature Industry Event

Attendee Registration

Join the California Transit Association in Long Beach, California from November 5-7, 2025, in coordination with our host agency, Long Beach Transit, for the Association’s 60th Annual Fall Conference & Expo. This multi-day event will feature content-rich sessions, an interactive Expo, informational tech tours, and networking with the best of the best in our industry.

Agenda

Plan your day in advance and stay on top of the schedule by exploring the full event agenda. From inspiring speakers to engaging sessions and networking opportunities, the agenda gives you a sneak peek at everything we’ve lined up so you won’t miss a thing.

VIEW AGENDA

2025 Keynote Speaker; Former US DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg

The California Transit Association is pleased to announce that former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg will serve as the keynote speaker for this year’s Fall Conference & Expo.

Prior to his appointment as Secretary, Buttigieg served two terms as mayor of South Bend, Indiana. Elected at the age of 29, he led the city to its strongest period of economic and population growth in decades. He also served for seven years as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, taking a leave of absence from his role as mayor in 2014 to deploy to Afghanistan. A candidate for the Democratic nomination for President in 2020, he won the Iowa caucuses and finished second in the New Hampshire primary. As a longtime supporter of rail and transit, the Association knew Mr. Buttigieg would be the perfect choice to speak at this milestone event.

2025 Keynote Address; Lincoln Room Strategies CEO Lynda Tran
In Conversation with COMTO President & CEO April Rai

The California Transit Association is proud to announce Lincoln Room Strategies' CEO Lynda Tran as a keynote speaker for this year’s Fall Conference & Expo.

With over 25 years of experience across politics, policy, and communications, Lynda has helped launch national and international initiatives, shaped the narrative around historic moments, and built and scaled groundbreaking organizations.

As Senior Advisor to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Director of Public Engagement for the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), she helped activate stakeholders to secure passage of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) - also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - and played a critical role in shaping the policies and programs that determine how these historic resources are allocated in communities nationwide.

A nationally recognized leader in transportation and infrastructure policy, Lynda is on the Board of Trustees for the Mineta Transportation Institute and serves on the Board of Directors for STV, a leading professional services firm that plans, designs, and manages infrastructure projects across North America. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Main Street America, a network of grassroots leaders working to reenergize and strengthen older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

A CBS News Political Contributor and columnist through the 2020 campaign cycle and frequent commentator, Lynda regularly appears in major national and international broadcast, print, and interactive news media. Lynda has shaped national media coverage and served as the primary spokeswoman on hot-button issues throughout her career. Lynda managed high-profile communications operations across government, politics, and labor - leading teams at the federal and state levels, the Democratic National Committee, and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Over four presidential cycles, she worked as both an organizer and a communications lead on political campaigns in key battleground states.

During the Obama Administration, Lynda was director of communications for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As one of the five presidential appointees at the helm of the nation’s top automotive safety agency, she steered NHTSA through numerous communications crises and helped inform key policy decisions by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, NHTSA Administrator David Strickland, and White House officials.

This announcement comes following the Association’s early May news that former U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will serve as the conference’s primary keynote speaker.

Conference Speakers

Pete Buttigieg

Former US DOT Secretary

Buttigieg served as Secretary of Transportation from 2021 to 2025. During his tenure, he launched more than 60,000 infrastructure projects across the country, improved transportation safety and technology, expanded airline passenger protections, and resolved pandemic-related supply chain disruptions.

Prior to his appointment as Secretary, Buttigieg served two terms as mayor of South Bend, Indiana. Elected at the age of 29, he led the city to its strongest period of economic and population growth in decades. He also served for seven years as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, taking a leave of absence from his role as mayor in 2014 to deploy to Afghanistan. A candidate for the Democratic nomination for President in 2020, he won the Iowa caucuses and finished second in the New Hampshire primary. As a longtime supporter of rail and transit, the Association knew Mr. Buttigieg would be the perfect choice to speak at this milestone event.

Lynda Tran

Lincoln Room Strategies CEO

Lynda Tran is an expert in advocacy and public engagement. Over 25 years of experience across politics, policy, and communications, Lynda has helped launch national and international initiatives, shaped the narrative around historic moments, and built and scaled groundbreaking organizations.

As Senior Advisor to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Director of Public Engagement for the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), she helped activate stakeholders to secure passage of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) — also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — and played a critical role in shaping the policies and programs that determine how these historic resources are allocated in communities nationwide.

A nationally recognized leader in transportation and infrastructure policy, Lynda is on the Board of Trustees for the Mineta Transportation Institute and serves on the Board of Directors for STV, a leading professional services firm that plans, designs, and manages infrastructure projects across North America. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Main Street America, a network of grassroots leaders working to reenergize and strengthen older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Dr. Asha Weinstein Agrawal

Mineta Transportation Institute

Dr. Asha Weinstein Agrawal is Director of the Mineta Transportation Institute’s National Transportation Finance Center at San José State University (SJSU), where she is also the MTI Education Director and Professor of Urban Planning. She directs a Graduate Program in Transportation Management offered by the SJSU’s Lucas Graduate School of Business with support from MTI. The program educates working transportation professionals to prepare them for advancing in leadership roles within the industry.

Dr. Agrawal has researched the transit passenger experience for over 20 years, including how transit riders experience harassment. Publications include: “Sexual Harassment and Assault in Transit Environments: A Review of the English-Language Literature” (Journal of Planning Literature, 2020); “Learning about Street Harassment on Transit: A Survey Instrument for Transit Agencies” (MTI, 2023); “Crime & Harassment on Public Transportation: A Survey of SJSU Students Set in International Context” (MTI, 2020); “Misconduct on Public Transit: An Exploratory Analysis Using the Comments Formerly Known as Tweets” (MTI, 2023). Currently, she is evaluating results of passenger surveys about harassment that were administered by California’s 10 largest transit agencies.

Other publications related to the transit user experience are: “What Do Americans Think about Public Transit? A Review of U.S. Public Opinion Polling Survey Questions” (MTI, 2015); “Exploring Bicycle & Public Transit Use by Low-Income Latino Immigrants” (MTI, 2016); and “Comparing Data Quality & Cost from Three Modes of On-Board Transit Surveys” (Transport Policy, 2017).

Finally, her publications related to other aspects of transit operations and policy include: “Understanding Diversity within the Transit Industry: Establishing a Baseline of Diversity Demographics” (MTI, 2024); “Shared-Use Bus Priority Lanes on City Streets: Approaches to Access & Enforcement” (Journal of Public Transportation, 2023); and “TTSAT: A New Approach to Mapping Transit Accessibility” (Journal of Public Transportation, 2010).

Click here for a full list of her publications.

Gamaliel Anguiano

CEO & GM, Santa Maria Regional Transit

Gamaliel (Gaw-mah, lee, el) Anguiano (Ahn-gui-aw-no) has been a transit practitioner for over 18 years. His area of expertise is the overhauls of public transit systems; from rebranding, to restructuring routes/schedules to increase operational and financial efficiency, launching new transit technology and the introduction of new transit service options such as BRT, micro transit and autonomous shuttles. His work also includes transitioning transit agencies from ICE fleets to fully electric.

Anguiano's work has earned several state and national transit awards, his most recent including:

- 2018 California Association of Coordinated Transportation (CalACT) - Outstanding System of the Year
- 2021 American Public Transit Association (APTA) - Innovation Award
- 2023 Green Tech Sustainable Facilities’ - Leadership Award
- 2025 Community Transportation Association of America’s (CTAA) – Large System of the Year

Billy Anderson Jr.

Manager of System Security, Long Beach Transit

Billy Anderson, Jr. is a seasoned professional in transit and public safety, currently serving as Manager of System Security at Long Beach Transit (LBT). In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the agency’s safety, security, transit police, and operational integrity. Throughout his career, Billy has been recognized for his dedication to aligning robust security protocols with efficient transit operations, consistently working to enhance the safety and reliability of public transportation for all riders.

Seannice Archie

RAMP22 Coordinator, Riverside Transit Agency

Seannice Archie has been a coach operator since October 2015. She is a San Bernardino native and Co-Coordinator of the RTA and ATU Local 1277 Mentorship Program, known as RAMP 22. She serves over 20 mentors, guiding them on their mentorship journey by providing training and tools to become better mentors themselves. Serving the public as a coach operator can be a challenge, but the mentorship program has given her a renewed sense of confidence and helped her gain introspection. She is excited to see where RAMP 22 will go and is deeply committed to its success and impact with all employees.

Seannice is a mother to three beautiful children and one bonus child. She loves spending quality time and taking vacations with her friends and family.

Mona Babauta

CEO & General Manager, Sunline Transit Agency

Mona Babauta is a seasoned transit professional with 28 years of public service in California – 26 of which have been in the public transit industry serving communities in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay areas. Currently, she serves as the CEO/General Manager of SunLine Transit Agency in the Coachella Valley, which has had a long history of aggressive investments in clean air technology, primarily hydrogen fuel cell electric bus technology, which, today, makes up over 65% of its active fleet. In addition, Mona has been active in various state, regional and national committees focused on transit advocacy and sustainability, including serving as a former member of the Executive Committee of the California Transit Association for 13 years and on the Board of Directors of The Center for Transportation and the Environment for the past 8 years.

Babauta earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Cheshta Balwani

Distributed Energies Solutions Growth Lead, Black and Veatch Corporation

Cheshta Balwani is a Clean Transportation Solution Consultant at Black & Veatch, focusing on distributed energy projects. She works on rooftop solar and fleet electrification initiatives, supporting strategic planning through data modeling and analysis. Her role spans fleet and site assessments, infrastructure planning, and economic evaluations. Cheshta partners with technology startups to integrate innovative solutions into complex energy projects. Her work helps accelerate the transition to sustainable and renewable mobility systems. Cheshta is a licensed professional engineer, and she holds a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering and Process Systems Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, and a Bachelor's degree of Technology in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Varanasi.

Mayda Bandy

Director of Power and Distributed Energy for Public Agencies, Black and Veatch Corporation

Mayda has more than 25 years of experience driving sustainability, decarbonization, and resilience across the government, water, and energy sectors. At Black & Veatch, she leads initiatives in electrification and power resilience for public agencies. Her work focuses on advancing clean energy solutions and grid hardening that support long-term environmental and infrastructure goals. Mayda earned her bachelor’s degree from UCLA and a master’s in public policy from Georgetown University. She brings a strategic and collaborative approach to transforming energy systems for a more sustainable future.

Augie Blancas

Information Officer II, California High-Speed Rail Authority

Augie Blancas (he/him) is a public information officer for the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) and currently oversees communications and outreach efforts in the Central Valley. Since arriving to the Authority in 2019, his role as public information officer has taken him from behind the desk to the construction site, highlighting the progress across 119 miles of high-speed rail construction and the stories of those helping build the nation’s first high-speed rail system. Augie also works with numerous stakeholders, including students from the Central Valley to the Central Coast.

Before high-speed rail, Augie was Communications Director for Fresno Building Healthy Communities, a local nonprofit working to foster communities where all Fresnans can live healthy and thrive. He was also Vice President and Communications Director for the Fresno Reel Pride LGBTQ Film Festival, one of the oldest LGBTQ film festivals in the United States.

Born and raised in Fresno, Augie is a graduate of Fresno State and holds a Bachelor’s in Mass Communications and Journalism.

Michelle Bouchard

Executive Director, Caltrain

Michelle has served as Executive Director of Caltrain since April 2021. She brings nearly 30 years of experience in the transit industry, with a long history of progressively senior leadership roles at Caltrain. Under her direction, Caltrain successfully completed the landmark $2.44 billion Electrification Project, which marked its one-year anniversary in September 2025 and represents the most significant transformation in the railroad’s 160-year history. The project has delivered faster, quieter, and more reliable and frequent service – benefiting both riders and the communities Caltrain serves.

In 2018, Ms. Bouchard was recognized by Railway Age as one of its “Women in Rail” for her leadership, industry contributions, and community service. She currently serves as Chair of the Commuter Rail Coalition, a national advocacy organization for commuter railroads.

Ms. Bouchard earned a BA in Economics from Brown University and an MSc in Urban and Regional Planning from the London School of Economics.

Lee Burner

Executive Director/VP of Transit Service Delivery and Planning, Long Beach Transit

Lee Burner is a career transportation professional with over 30 years of transit experience in both public and private transportation sectors. His extensive background includes management of various transit agencies and independent consultant services to transit organizations, both nationally and internationally. Mr. Burner’s experience includes bus transportation, light rail, paratransit operations, project management, organizational development, and developing organizational culture to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion. Lee currently serves as the Executive Director/Vice President of Transit Services Delivery & Planning (TSD&P) for Long Beach Transit, Long Beach, CA. and has served as General Manager for other transit agencies throughout his career.

Britt Card

Planner, City of Pasadena

Britt Card is a Planner at City of Pasadena where she manages service planning for Pasadena Transit. She has over 15 years of experience in transit planning. She received her Masters in Public Policy from the University of Southern California and her BA from Mills College.

Yachun Chow

Manager of Zero Emission Truck and Bus Section, California Air Resources Board (CARB)

Yachun is the manager of the Zero Emission Truck and Bus section at the California Air Resources Board. In this capacity, Yachun and her team are tasked with the development of heavy-duty vehicle strategies and policies to foster the use of zero emissions technologies in the heavy-duty vehicle sector. Yachun’s team is responsible for the implementation of the Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) regulation.

Sharon Cooney

MTS Chief Executive Officer

Sharon Cooney is the Chief Executive Officer for the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System.

Ms. Cooney has been a leader in public transportation in San Diego for nearly 20 years and took the helm as the agency’s top executive in 2020.

Under her leadership at MTS, the agency has become one of the best performing transit agencies in the country. MTS is nationally recognized for consistently performing at a high level for ridership operational cost per revenue hour, passengers per revenue hour and subsidy per passenger. As part of her commitment to advancing transportation through policy, Ms. Cooney is the Executive Committee Chair of the California Transit Association (CTA) and a member of the Transit Transformation Task Force for the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA).

Ms. Cooney’s management philosophy is grounded in a data-driven approach with sound policies to grow San Diego’s transit system in an equitable and financially sound way. She is dedicated to position MTS as the most cost-effective transit agency in the nation with market-driven services.

Ms. Cooney holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and a master’s degree from Villanova University. She grew up in Philadelphia and now lives with her husband and two children in San Diego.

Marion Jane Colston

Senior Director of Strategic & Organizational Planning, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Marion Jane Colston, in her current position leads and oversees the Talent Development Department, which is responsible for planning, directing, and managing workforce development activities, career pathways and succession planning programs to address Metro’s Operational and Technical training areas requiring reskilling and upskilling of Metro’s incumbent workforce and next generation programs for new entrants and serves as a strategic advisor to Metro’s management team.

Prior to joining LA Metro, Ms. Colston held various organizational development and training positions with both public and private sectors. She served as Chief Officer of Subway-Elevated for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Contract Liaison for the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging, and held a position as Academic Counselor for Widener University, located in PA.

Ms. Colston has a Master of Education degree from Antioch University, Yellow Springs, Ohio and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Cheyney State University. Ms. Colston currently sits on three Transportation Research Board Sub-committees: Education and Training, Knowledge Management, and Strategic Planning, which is in Washington, D.C. Ms. Colston, is an active member of the Los Angeles community, and a San Fernando Valley resident and past graduate of the 1997-98 class of the San Fernando Valley Leadership Institute. More recently, Ms. Colston received the SoCal Regional Chapter of COMTO Lifetime Achievement Award and the WTS Diversity and Inclusion Award and LA Metro’s FY20 Service Excellence Award for Teamwork. In 2019, she graduated from the African American Board Leadership Institute (ABBLI) program and looks forward to continuing in her efforts to provide positive work experiences for the next generation of the today’s workforce.

Zack Deutsch-Gross

Executive Director, TransForm

Zack serves as Transform Executive Director, having previously served as Transform's Policy Director. Transform works in the Bay Area and statewide to reshape housing and transportation decisions to ensure all communities can thrive in a world safe from climate chaos. Prior to joining Transform, Zack was the Policy and Community Investment Director at San Francisco Transit Riders. He holds a Masters in Public Policy from UC Berkeley and a Bachelors in Community Studies from UC Santa Cruz. He currently serves on Caltrans' SB 743 Implementation Working Group and on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's Policy Advisory Council, Regional Network Management, and Next Generation Freeways Advisory Groups.

John Drayton

Burns Engineering, Zero-Emission Mobility National Practice Lead

John Drayton is a nationally recognized expert on zero emission mobility, and he leads Burns Engineering’s zero emission practice. He is based locally in the Los Angeles region and has over 33 years of transit industry and zero emissions experience. John specializes in fleet-management strategies that achieve cost, operational, environmental, and social benefits. An expert in alternative vehicle fleets, John offers decades of experience guiding transit agency capital programs — including over 20 years leading bus procurements at LA Metro. John currently serves as a business representative on CTA’s Executive Committee.

Teri Fisher

Insight Strategies Inc, Founder, CEO & Managing Partner

Acclaimed consultant, speaker & executive coach, Teri Fisher is the founder, CEO, and Managing Partner of Insight Strategies, Inc. – a Los Angeles-based consulting firm in business since 1994. Insight Strategies has worked with over 70+ transit/transportation industry clients, and is a certified DBE, SBE, and WBE in California.

Clients include LA Metro, NTI, Women’s Transportation Seminar, WMATA, MBTA, Omnitrans, SYSTRA USA, Trasndev, DART, LBT, OCTA, Golden Gate, Sound Transit, Collins Aerospace, The Wonderful Company, Wells Fargo, Amazon, Sun/Oracle Microsystems, GoHealth, and the CIA (but she can’t tell you about that or you know what she’d have to do!)

Teri is recognized in the areas of succession planning, leadership development, creating strategies for a healthy and high-performing culture, developing high-impact leaders, understanding employee engagement and morale, wellbeing and resilience, leading organizations through change, and executive coaching.

Teri has been published by Forbes, the Financial Times, BizDig, Authority Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal, and was a Contributing Author to a book entitled, Blueprint for Success with Stephen Covey and Ken Blanchard. Over this past year, she’s been cited as a thought leader in assisting organizations as they pivot out of the pandemic and toward greater success moving forward. Teri is an active Board Member with both the Los Angeles YMCA and the UCSB Executive Women in Leadership.

Priscilla Freduah-Agyemang

Senior Regional Planner, Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG)

Priscilla Freduah-Agyemang is a Senior Regional Planner at the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), where she leads the transit program, supports the development of sustainable and equitable transit systems, and ensures the region’s transit operators are integrated into the metropolitan planning processes. Priscilla leads transit-related research and is currently leading SCAG’s efforts to assess the region’s transition to clean transit. She holds a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from USC.

Dr. Pretty George

Executive Director & Vice President - Information Technology, Long Beach Transit

Dr. Pretty George is an executive with over 20 years of experience in business and information technology, serving multiple industries, including finance, healthcare, technology, and now transit. She has held increasingly complex leadership roles, successfully implementing enterprise systems—such as Human Capital Management, Revenue Cycle, Financial Management, and Electronic Medical Records—that have driven measurable improvements across the organizations she has served. Her focus is on organizational leadership and innovation, with a vision of achieving seamless technology integration across industries. Guided by her motto, “Influence Walks With You,” Dr. George believes leaders shape the future by fostering innovation, improving processes, and driving organizational excellence.

Lena Gonzalez

Senator

Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez proudly represents one million residents in California’s 33rd Senate District, which encompasses Southeast Los Angeles, the City and Port of Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, and Catalina Island. In 2020 she began a three-year term as Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, the first Latina and the only woman to hold this position in the past two decades. Currently, she serves as Senate Majority Leader and Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. She is a strong advocate on key priorities that impact Californians, from economic development and environmental justice to LGBTQ+ and women’s rights, digital equity, immigrant protections, and the rights of all communities across the state. Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez has championed major policies, including broadband for all, expanding paid sick leave, advancing clean transportation incentives, and ending neighborhood oil drilling. She lives in Long Beach with her family. To learn more, visit www.sen.ca.gov/gonzalez.

Liseth Guizar

Transit Safety & Training Manager, City of Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus

Liseth Guizar brings two decades of dedicated experience in public transit, with a strong focus on safety, training, security, and emergency management. For the past nine years, she has served as the Safety and Training Manager for the City of Santa Monica’s Department of Transportation, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping and advancing the safety culture of Big Blue Bus (BBB).

In her current role, Liseth oversees the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of BBB’s Agency Safety Plan. She also leads key security initiatives, including the Transit Safety Officer Program and the innovative Prohibition Order Program, aimed at enhancing rider and employee safety across the system. Her strategic approach to safety and her commitment to public service are grounded in a strong academic foundation, holding a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and a Master's degree in Public Administration.

Greg Hoile

Director, Americas Transportation Lead, Cohesive Solutions

Greg is a seasoned digital Enterprise Asset Management solutions architect, implementer and project manager. He began his career in 1994 implementing Maximo for London Underground, and has created, delivered and managed solution implementations for many clients, specializing in Transportation industry solutions. Greg has implemented solutions for Amtrak, the NY MTA, DART and others over the past 20 years, and has significant experience and industry awareness in all aspects of Transportation management, bringing high levels of value through the definition and realization of their EAM strategy. As the Transportation Industry Lead for Cohesive Solutions for the Americas (part of Bentley Systems), Greg defines the strategic industry direction for the company, and creates and presents enterprise-level technology solutions to specific clients and thought leadership to the industry that will deliver full lifecycle asset management to connect asset performance directly to operational success. Greg is an active and participating member of APTA’s High-Speed Rail Committee.

Vasu Jayanthi

Air Pollution Specialist, Calfiornia Air Resources Board (CARB)

Vasu is an Air Pollution Specialist at CARB, working on the policy team of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard since June 2024. She contributed significantly to the 2024 updates to the regulation, and has been supporting infrastructure crediting, legislative requests, aviation, transit, and other aspects of the LCFS program. Vasu is originally from Wilmington, Delaware, and holds an Sc.B. in Environmental Science from Brown University and an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University.

Dan Katz

VP Public Policy, Hayden AI

Dan Katz is the SVP for External Affairs at Hayden AI, a company that partners with transit agencies and cities across the country to provide AI-powered, bus-mounted bus lane, bus stop, bike lane and double parking enforcement technology to improve safety, accessibility and transit performance. He is a former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Transportation during the Obama Administration under Secretary Anthony Foxx. Prior to that, he was Chief of Staff to Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) , a longtime champion of transit and rail service in the U.S. Senate. Since his time in government, Dan has worked for several technology companies working to advance transportation innovation.

David Kerley

National Transportation Journalist

Kerley served as Senior Transportation Correspondent as part of his 16 years at ABC News. He joined the network in 2004 and covered aviation, railroads, the automobile industry, and space for all ABC News broadcast and digital properties, including "World News Tonight" and "Good Morning America." Kerley now writes about the global transportation transformation in the newsletter Full Throttle on Substack. Vehicle electrification, autonomy, commercial space, moon to mars, and the changing air travel industry are all subjects of Full Throttle. Kerley was also a correspondent for Discovery Channel's Emmy-winning Space Launch Live series of programs.

During his tenure at ABC News, Kerley was a White House Correspondent, covered the war in Iraq, and reported on severe weather events, including Hurricane Katrina. Kerley is a multiple Emmy award-winning journalist and has been honored with Peabody and Edward R. Murrow awards. His reporting on wasteful government spending earned him the prestigious Joan Barone award from the Capitol Hill Radio and Television Correspondents Association.

Prior to joining ABC News, Kerley spent more than 20 years anchoring and reporting in several cities including Chicago, Seattle, Boise, Idaho and Santa Maria, California. He received a Bachelor of Science in journalism from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and serves on the University's Journalism Department Advisory Board.

Nina Kin

LA Metro, Digital Experience Team Tech Lead

Nina serves as the Tech Lead for Metro's Digital Experience Team. She works on improving transit data and digital rider tools so that riders can confidently choose to ride Metro.

She is passionate about using technology to make government work better for the public and she frequently takes on roles at the intersection of government, technology, and social justice. She currently serves on the board of MobilityData and Los Angeles Walks.

Stacey Luna

Programs Manager, DIY Girls

Stacey Luna was born and raised in Pacoima, where she attended Pacoima Middle School and San Fernando High School. As a first-generation college graduate earning her master's degree in Education Technology and Math Credential from CSUN, she discovered her passion for STEM education - empowering young girls from her community to explore engineering and technology with creativity and confidence. Now serving as Programs Manager & Curriculum Developer at DIY Girls, Stacey oversees programming operations, curriculum, and partnership resources that make hands-on STEM learning accessible and impactful. Deeply committed to giving back to the community that shaped her, she strives to create mentorship and opportunities she once wished she had. Outside of work, Stacey is a proud mother, artist, and basketball enthusiast who values curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning.

Ward McCarragher

Vice President, Government Affairs and Advocacy, American Public Transportation Association

Ward McCarragher is Vice President of Government Affairs and Advocacy of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

In this role, Ward leads APTA’s outreach and advocacy efforts to Congress and the Administration, such as APTA’s successful advocacy on behalf of the historic investment for public transit and passenger rail included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Inflation Reduction Act, and COVID-19 legislation.

Prior to joining APTA in 2018, Ward served as Chief Counsel of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the U.S. House of Representatives for more than 20 years. Throughout his career, Ward has been involved in every major surface transportation authorization act of the past 30 years.

Kenneth A. McDonald

CEO Long Beach Transit

Kenneth A. McDonald brings 30 years of transportation experience spanning both the public and private sectors. He has led major transit programs and projects and held direct responsibility for daily service delivery at two of the nation’s largest public transit agencies. Mr. McDonald is an active member of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, the Los Angeles County Municipal Operators Association (LACMOA), and the California Transit Association’s (CTA) Executive Committee. He also serves on multiple committees of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), where he is serving on the Executive Board. In recognition of his leadership, APTA honored him with the “Outstanding CEO of the Year” award for North America in 2025.

Shaun Miller

Deputy Executive Office for Zero Emissions Bus Delivery, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Shaun Miller is a Deputy Executive Officer in LA Metro’s Vehicle Engineering & Acquisition Department. He leads strategic and capital planning for Metro’s transition to a zero-emission bus fleet.

Seamus Murphy

Executive Director, San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority

Seamus Murphy is the Executive Director of San Francisco Bay Ferry, which operates the Bay Area’s principal water-based public transit system.

Since joining the organization in 2021, Murphy has led the reinvention of SF Bay Ferry service, positioning the system a regional leader in post-pandemic ridership recovery. He also initiated the agency’s Rapid Electric Emission-free Ferry (REEF) Program, which will create the nation’s first high-speed, zero-emission ferry network.

Prior to joining SF Bay Ferry, Murphy spent a decade overseeing external affairs for Caltrain and the San Mateo County Transit District. As the District’s Chief Communications Officer, Murphy led efforts to build support and secure funding for transformative projects including the $2.5 billion Caltrain Electrification Program. He was also responsible for passing state legislation that paved the way for voter-approved revenue measures that continue to invest over $200 million/year in transportation improvements and services throughout the San Francisco Peninsula.

Toks Omishakin

Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA)

Toks Omishakin was appointed California’s 4th Secretary of Transportation by Governor Gavin Newsom in February 2022. Safety, Equity, Climate Action and Economic Prosperity—the Core Four—are the top transportation priorities established for the state. In his role, Secretary Omishakin has oversight of 8 State Departments, Boards and Commissions that, combined, have more than 42,000 people and an annual budget that exceeds $30 billion. In October 2020, while Director of California Department of Transportation, Omishakin was appointed to then-President-elect Biden-Harris Transportation Transition Team. Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, Secretary Omishakin served nearly two decades working in Tennessee transportation. Omishakin has a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering with a concentration in Engineering Management from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Colin Parent

CEO & General Counsel, Circulate SD

Colin Parent is Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel at Circulate San Diego. He is the author of a number of reports and academic publications detailing how local land use and transportation policy can be improved to advance equity, promote economic development, and address climate change. Colin is a former elected member of the City Council of La Mesa, California, and served in the Jerry Brown administration at the California Department of Housing and Community Development.

Dr. Kati Peditto

Senior Research Designer, DLR Group

Dr. Kati Peditto is a design researcher and speaker specializing in neuroinclusive design. With a PhD in Human Behavior and Design from Cornell University, she translates evidence into practical strategies for designers, HR professionals, and clinicians to create spaces that support neurodivergent individuals. Drawing from her own experiences as an autistic woman with ADHD, she is widely recognized for her expertise in design for mental health and neurodivergence, including features in the BBC, The Atlantic, and the Washington Post.

Peter Peyser

Principal, Peyser Associates LLC

Peter Peyser is the founding principal of Peyser Associates LLC, a government relations and strategic consulting firm based in Washington, DC. He has been in private practice for more than 40 years assisting public transit agencies and state governments in gaining federal funds for major infrastructure projects His transit clients in California currently include the Metropolitan Transit System in San Diego, the San Diego Association of Governments, the North County Transit District and the Inglewood Transit Connector Joint Powers Authority. Peter started his career as a staff member to three Members of the U.S. House and to the Mayor of New York City.

Karen Philbrick

Executive Director, Mineta Transportation Institute

An award winning scholar and frequently invited keynote speaker, Dr. Karen Philbrick currently serves as the Executive Director of the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State University. With a passion for improving transportation equity, she has dedicated her career to making mobility a tool for empowerment. From leading major transportation research initiatives to serving on influential boards and government committees, Dr. Philbrick continues to drive impactful change in the industry.

Michael Pimentel

Executive Director of the California Transit Association (CTA)

Michael Pimentel is the Executive Director of the California Transit Association, the nonprofit trade organization that represents 85 public transit and rail agencies in California and more than 220 member organizations nationwide. In this role, Michael oversees the Association’s advocacy and member education programs, with special focus on transportation funding, climate change, and air quality initiatives. Before being selected as Executive Director, Michael was the Association’s Deputy Executive Director and Legislative and Regulatory Advocate.

Prior to joining the Association, Michael held various positions in the administration of Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., including in the Office of the Governor and at the California High-Speed Rail Authority, focused on policy and budget issues impacting transportation and environmental programs. Michael began his career in Sacramento politics as an aide on the Brown for Governor 2010 campaign and has held various research positions throughout his career in the fields of economics and sustainable transportation.

Michael has been recognized for his advocacy on behalf of California’s transit industry in leading industry publications, including Capitol Weekly’s Top 100 (2023 and 2024) and Mass Transit Magazine’s 40 under 40 (2023) and by industry groups, having been named the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials – Northern California’s Transportation Advocate of the Year (2023) and Women Transportation Seminar – Sacramento Chapter’s Ray LaHood Award recipient (2024).

Michael currently serves on the California State Transportation Agency’s Transit Transformation Task Force, the California Energy Commission’s Advisory Committee for the Clean Transportation Investment Plan, and the Advisory Boards for the multicampus University of California’s Institutes of Transportation Studies, as well as for the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies.

Michael received a Master of Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley.

Ryan Powell

Account Manager, SPARE

Ryan Powell is an Account Manager at Spare, where he partners with transit agencies to enhance microtransit and paratransit services. With several years of experience in urban mobility and public transportation, he helps agencies design and deliver solutions that improve efficiency, reliability, and rider experience. Ryan is passionate about using technology to expand access and create better transit for communities.

April Rai

President & CEO of Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO)

April Rai is a seasoned executive with nearly two decades of experience leading across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. She began her career in government affairs and public health, where she advanced policy initiatives at the University of Maryland, School of Nursing. She went on to serve as CEO of a national transportation safety coalition and later as Deputy Executive Director at WTS International, where she championed women’s leadership in transportation. In December 2021, April became President & CEO of COMTO, where she leads strategic efforts to ensure transportation systems serve all communities across 40 chapters in North America. Known for her collaborative leadership and policy expertise, she works to advance opportunities through transportation investment. April also contributes her insights as a board member on several national transportation organizations, including the Mineta Transportation Institute and in 2022 an appointment to the WMATA Board by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.

Michael Richardson

Executive Director, Onesimus Consulting Group

Michael Richardson is a highly experienced professional with 20 years of experience in community development, workforce training, strategic business partnerships and jobs creation. His work has focused on advancing inclusivity and workforce development across major Los Angeles institutions including LAWA, LAUSD, LA Metro and various city and County agencies. Michael has worked on various size project such as Regional Connector, Sixth Street bridge, Westside purple line, LAUSD We Build program and Rail to Rail

Jessica Roberts

West Coast Agency Liaison, Transit App

Jessica Roberts is the west coast agency liaison for Transit app. In this role, she works with public transit agencies who have a passion for making life better for their riders through great digital customer experience, communication, and engagement. She previously spent 2 decades as a public sector consultant in active transportation and mode shift. She owns 5 bikes, 8 physical transit cards, and too many dozens of mobility apps to count.

Erin Rogers

CEO/General Manager for Omnitrans

Erin Rogers is the CEO/General Manager for Omnitrans in San Bernardino, California. Erin was appointed to this position in July 2020, after serving for two years as the agency’s Deputy General Manager. Erin is Omnitrans’ first female CEO/General Manager, with approximately three decades of experience in the transit industry in both the public and private sector.

Erin previously held a Regional Vice President position for MV Transportation and spent 16 years at the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), including ten years as Assistant General Manager, Transit.

As Omnitrans’ leader, Erin focuses on people, both employees and customers, ensuring a strong safety culture, smart use of technology, and providing efficient, cost-effective, customer-centered service delivery. Her agency administrative approach emphasizes data-driven decision making and innovation to ensure a sustainable future.

A native of Syracuse, New York, Erin is a graduate of the State University of New York, Geneseo. She is committed to industry education and development and is a graduate of the Eno Center for Transportation’s Transportation Senior Executive program and the American Public Transportation Association’s Leadership APTA program.

Erin currently serves on the Executive Committee of the American Public Transportation Association and is Vice Chair of the California Transit Association Executive Committee. She is Past President of the American Bus Benchmarking Group (ABBG).

Also an active member of the Women’s Transportation Seminar, Erin was recognized as the Woman of the Year by the WTS Inland Empire Chapter in 2022.

Angela (Angie) Scott

Principal, Diversity & Economic Oppportunity Department, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Angela Scott is a Principal Diversity Economic Opportunity Representative at LA Metro, with over 25 years of experience in socioeconomic and workforce development. She leads efforts to diversify the construction workforce through Metro’s Project Labor Agreement and Construction Careers Policy, with a strong focus on creating opportunities for women in the building trades. Angela has held leadership roles with the Los Angeles Urban League and Los Angeles Job Corps, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for W.I.N.T.E.R. She was also part of Metro’s 2024 Women and Girls Governing Council, advancing gender equity across industries. A graduate of Loyola Marymount University with a B.A. in Political Science, Angela is deeply committed to inclusive economic opportunity.

Dent Shuey

Altro USA, Sales Executive

Dent Shuey is a seasoned transportation professional with over 30 years in sales and marketing in California and the Western US. He brings a wealth of knowledge of design and functionality having parts, sales and marketing positions with Ryder, Cummins, MCI Coach, American Seating, Nova Bus and Altro Transflor. He has always been an empathetic supporter of many diverse populations and also dedicates his off time as a Duty Officer with the American Red Cross, dispatching volunteers to house fires and disasters locally in the Sacramento region. He is keenly aware and interested to assist people with hidden disabilities, and neurodiversity is a topic of much conversation with his recent tenure with Altro.

Dino Smith

Manager of Training & Development, Long Beach Transit

Dino Smith has served as the Manager of Training & Development at Long Beach Transit since 2012. In this capacity, he has spearheaded initiatives aimed at aligning the organization's training programs with its overarching strategic objectives and budgetary considerations. Mr. Smith joined Long Beach Transit in 1993 as a part-time bus operator and was subsequently promoted to Training Supervisor in 1998.

With an extensive career spanning 32 years, Mr. Smith has dedicated himself to fostering professional development and integrating new technologies within the organization. He possesses a particular passion for designing interactive training programs and developing educational materials that empower both employees and external stakeholders to achieve success. Among his notable accomplishments, Mr. Smith has developed several training programs, including Long Beach Transit's Mandatory Accident Prevention Course (MAPC) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Sensitive Employee Training Program. He has also collaborated with the Long Beach Unified School District to create the Blind Student Transit Bus Orientation for graduating students, as well as the development and implementation of Bus Orientation and Tactical Training for the Long Beach Police Department's Transit Enforcement Detail.

Under Mr. Smith's leadership, the Training & Development team ensures that every operator and mechanic is adequately equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver safe, reliable, and exemplary service to Long Beach Transit's customers.

Elizabeth Solis-Campana

CEO, The Solis Group

Elizabeth Solis-Campana, who is the CEO and owner of The Solis Group, a Pasadena-based compliance management firm serving the public construction industry. With over 30 years of experience in public construction, she has managed major transportation projects for agencies like LA Metro, OCTA, and HART. As a Latina CEO, Elizabeth emphasizes inclusivity and employee wellness while creating collaborative workplace environments that reflect the diversity of both her staff and the communities they serve. She is particularly committed to supporting women business owners and believes in continuous learning and development as essential leadership qualities.

Laura Tolkoff

Transportation Policy Director, SPUR

Laura Tolkoff is SPUR’s Transportation Policy Director. She believes that a good public transit system is the scaffolding for a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous society. She has led a range of advocacy campaigns, legislative reforms, and policy research projects focused on public transit funding, capital project planning and delivery streamlining, and making roads safer for all users. Prior to joining SPUR, Laura worked at Regional Plan Association (RPA) leading climate resilience and adaptation initiatives, including as part of the founding team of an internationally-recognized design competition in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Laura earned a Master's degree from Tufts University and a Bachelor's degree from the University of California at Berkeley. She serves on the Board of Advisors for the U.C. Institute for Transportation Studies, was appointed to the California’s Transit Transformation Task Force, and was named to Mass Transit magazine's "Top 40 under 40".

Gia Vacin

Deputy Director of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Market Development Office, CA Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)

Gia Vacin is the Deputy Director of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Market Development Office at the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), where she has served in various roles since 2016. She focuses on accelerating the ZEV market in pursuit of California’s goal of a 100 percent transition to ZEVs. She leads the GO-Biz ZEV team in coordinating state efforts, collaborating with public and private partners to expedite ZEV infrastructure deployment, and identifying opportunities for business engagement and growth. Previously, Gia was an environmental management and strategy consultant helping mission-driven organizations expand their impact. Gia holds a Master of Environmental Science and Management from the Bren School at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Biology and Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Marc Vukcevich

Director of State Policy, Streets for All

Marc T. Vukcevich (he/him) is the Director of State Policy at Streets For All -- an organization dedicated to biking, walking, transit, and smart land use decisions. Marc oversees all Sacramento affairs for the organization, supported by a team of dedicated volunteers. Marc holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from UC Santa Barbara and lives in Orange County with his dog and three cats.

Kristin Warsinski

CEO, Riverside Transit Agency

Kristin Warsinski has served as CEO of RTA since December 2021 and has over 15 years of experience in public transportation. A Riverside County native, Mrs. Warsinski combines deep industry knowledge with a strong commitment to her community.

In just a short time as CEO, Ms. Warsinski has already made a significant impact on the Agency. She has spearheaded the Agency’s Zero-Emission Bus Rollout Plan, an ambitious blueprint for converting RTA’s entire fleet to hydrogen-powered buses. She also led the Agency through a culture and leadership renovation project, establishing a proactive approach for more effective organizational alignment and improved employee engagement. Additionally, she has also strengthened the relationship between the Agency and union by developing the Riverside Transit Agency and ATU Local 1277 Mentorship Program, or RAMP 22. This mentorship program has cut new hire turnover in half and has fostered trust, inclusion and belonging among the coach operators.

Looking ahead, Kristin has set ambitious goals for the Agency. The team is focused on building ridership, making good use of taxpayer dollars, ensuring equitable service and fostering healthy bonds with the community. The Agency is currently undergoing a 10-year service plan update, aimed at increasing service in a way that is sustainable and provides meaningful transportation for Riverside County residents.

Since her arrival at RTA almost ten years ago, Warsinski has served in several positions including Planning and Programming Specialist, Grants Manager and Director of Planning. Prior to RTA, she held various administrative positions with the City of Beaumont. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from UC Irvine and a master’s degree in public administration from California Baptist University.

Public service runs in her family, which she credits with helping familiarize her with the inner workings of the public sector, the fine art of business management and the importance of empathy for constituents. She lives in Riverside with her husband, Kyle, and their sons, Grayson (9) and Avery (5).

Michael Wygant

Chief Operating Officer of Transit Services, San Diego MTS

Michael Wygant is San Diego Metropolitan Transit System's (MTS) Chief Operating Officer for bus, and has more than 30 years of experience in the bus and rail industry. Mr. Wygant, a lifetime resident of San Diego, has been with MTS since 2017, and is responsible for the oversight of the entire MTS bus operation which includes directly operated and contracted fixed-route operations, access paratransit services, passenger facilities, support services, and the transition to zero emission bus. He is committed to providing the safest transportation system possible for all employees, passengers, and communities in which MTS serves. Prior to his position at MTS, he worked for North County Transit District (NCTD) for more than 26 years. He finished his career at NCTD as the Chief Operations Officer, overseeing bus, rail, paratransit operations and maintenance. Mr. Wygant is a U.S. Air Force veteran and has maintained, managed, and developed a wide range of vehicles and equipment, including: heavy duty bus, medium duty bus, para transit, heavy rail, light rail, hybrid rail, aircraft, CNG fueling stations, vehicle maintenance facilities, light duty cars and trucks.

Be a Sponsor or Exhibitor

Join the Association this fall as an event sponsor or expo hall exhibitor. These opportunities offer exceptional visibility for organizations, businesses and groups, and a chance to network and amplify their work. To see available sponsorship options, click here.

SPONSOR & EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION

SPONSOR & EXHIBITOR PROSPECTUS

Small Operators Awards

The Small Operators Awards are presented annually during our Fall Conference & Expo. The Transit Professional of the Year Award honors an outstanding individual who has provided strong leadership and vision. The Transit Agency of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding program or service that demonstrates innovative concepts, effective problem-solving techniques, or promotes a positive image of transit in the community. Two new honors, the Transit Innovation Award and the Distinguished Service Award, were added in 2014.

LEARN MORE

Hotel Information

The California Transit Association secured a block of discounted hotel rooms at the Westin Long Beach and Marriott Long Beach Downtown. The discounted rate is available through October 16 or until the block sells out, whichever comes first.

You may reserve a room via the links below:

Westin Long Beach
333 East Ocean Blvd
Long Beach, CA 90802
$249 per night, plus tax
Reserve a Room

Marriott Long Beach Downtown
111 East Ocean Blvd
Long Beach, CA 90802
$259 per night, plus tax
Reserve a Room

Please be mindful of hotel phishing scams. Any communication from the California Transit Association will come from our official email info@caltransit.org.

Thank You, Sponsors

We appreciate our sponsors for their commitment to making events like this possible. If you are interested in sponsoring, contact the California Transit Association at info@caltransit.org or by calling (916) 446-4656.

Future Conferences

Spring Legislative Conference

The Sawyer Kimpton Hotel
Sacramento, California
May 20, 2026

61st Annual Fall Conference & Expo

The Portola Hotel & Spa and Monterey Conference Center
Monterey, California
October 28-30, 2026

Conference Media Kit

We’ve created a Conference Media Kit (PDF) to make it easy for you to help spread the word! Inside, you’ll find ready-to-use graphics, sample posts, email templates, and other tools to share the conference with your networks.

This kit is designed to give you everything you need to amplify the event across social media, emails, newsletters, and more. By using and sharing these resources, you’ll help us reach the largest audience possible—quickly and effectively.

DOWNLOAD THE MEDIA KIT

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