Association Committee leadership and membership is now set for the 2024-25 term. Committee chairs explain their work and share their plans for the next eighteen months.
By Arianna Smith
Managing Editor
Transit California
Through the Association, California public transit agencies and transit partners advocate for public policies to benefit riders and local communities. This advocacy is possible through the hard work of the Association’s many committees, task forces, and advisory groups, which guides Association staff and leadership to shape state and federal transit policy through actions on legislation, public fiscal matters, and regulatory proposals. Committee work is one of the most important parts of advancing public transit goals.
Leadership at the Association: Executive Committee Priorities and Role in Forming all Committees
The Association maintains eleven standing committees that manage membership activities and finances, develop and provide advice on public policy proposals, and steer advocacy efforts.
The Executive Committee, which is charged with setting Association policies and directing Association staff, is special in that its 25-to-28-person membership and governance is specifically described in the Association’s bylaws. Ten seats are designated as “Permanent Group” transit systems representing those largest agencies in the state. Caucuses representing specific individual transit entities vote for their representatives to occupy the remaining 15 "Rotating Group" seats, which have been apportioned to five seats for small-sized operators, four seats for medium-sized operators, two seats each for business members and transit governing board members, and one seat each for passenger rail and ferry operators and transit support groups. The full membership of the Executive Committee is elected in November of an odd-numbered year and serves for two-year terms.
The Executive Committee grapples with and directs the most critical, timely advocacy work of the Association. During 2024 and 2025, “The Executive Committee will have challenging but important work to do these next two years as we seek fulfillment of the promises of SB 125. At the same time our Committee will provide leadership to our Association’s efforts to gain favorable outcomes from the Transit Transformation Task Force,” said Executive Committee Chair Sharon Cooney, Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego Metropolitan System (MTS), of the Association’s current work on state-committed capital and operations funds, as well as new work to grow ridership and address long-term transit system needs.
The Executive Committee also oversees the membership process for the rest of the committees. Following its November election, the Committee conducts a solicitation for interest in committee membership. By approximately April, new committee memberships are established; these appointments run through the end of the following year.
Committee meeting frequency ranges from about twice per month to once per quarter, and each committee has at least one Association staffer who attends, monitors, and guides the meetings. Committees are composed of as few as six Association members and as many as 30 members, each of whom provide specific subject matter expertise while representing the perspectives of their agencies or organizations. Most committees meet primarily or exclusively remotely, although the Executive Committee meets in-person.
Throughout each spring, committees define the breadth of their charters for the remainder of the term.
Running the Association: Management Committees Direct Operations and Maintain High-quality Membership Experience
Under the leadership of the Executive Committee, three key committees oversee mission-critical operations of the Association.
The Finance & Management Committee oversees the routine audit of the Association and continues to refine the Association’s work program with an emphasis on strengthening membership and delivering enhanced benefits to business members. Chair Erin Rogers, CEO and General Manager of San Bernardino County’s Omnitrans, stated, “During this transformative time for the transit industry, I’m looking forward to furthering the important work of the Finance and Management Committee. In addition to reviewing the Association’s annual audit and Strategic Plan, the committee will provide feedback on key priorities for the proposed 2025 Work Program and Budget. Our charge is to ensure that the Association maximizes resources to positively impact our members and the industry.”
The Program and Conference Committee develops and implements the Association’s the annual Fall Conference & Expo, which alternates between locations across the state. This year’s signature event from November 20-22 in San Jose. “We are thrilled to be hosting California Transit Association’s 59th Annual Fall Conference & Expo conference in Santa Clara County. With such a rich history of innovation, our county offers the perfect backdrop for this important gathering,” said Committee Chair Christine Stavem, who is the Government Affairs Manager for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). “We can’t wait to welcome attendees from across the industry to explore new ideas, foster collaborations and shape the future of transportation together.” This summer, the Committee will solicit general Association membership for suggestions about program panel topics and speakers.
Subject Matter Expertise: Specialized Policy Committees Give Guidance on Complex Issues
The Association maintains several standing committees that coordinate with the Executive Committee to inform complicated policy discussions and advocacy actions.
The Operations Committee, newly chaired by Monterey-Salinas Transit Chief Operating Officer Norman K. Tuitavuki, serves as a place for Association members to discuss matters related to the operation of transit systems. “As always, safety is our number one, and our highest priority. I’m actively engaging the Committee members to find ways the Association, through this committee, can help improve the overall safety of our employees, customers, and the communities we serve,” said Tuitavuki.
In 2024-25, a key issue the Operations Committee will consider is the process and timelines related to commercial driver’s licensing, including through engagement with the California Department of Motor Vehicle and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, through a subgroup Chaired by Culver City’s Safety and Training Coordinator Hector Calvinisti. The committee will also continue to monitor operator and rider safety issues, advise on strategies to combat growing incidence of assault against transit workers and to address safety concerns of riders, and review and respond to proposed changes in federal hours of service limits that may impact bus operator scheduling and create additional workforce challenges at agencies.
The Maintenance Committee, chaired by San Diego MTS COO Mike Wygant, facilitates member discussions about issues related to vehicles and equipment. Said Wygant of his service, “I’m honored and excited to continue my role as the Chair of the Maintenance Committee. We have made great progress in educating and advancing the industry through our efforts and the leaders before us. With new challenges facing us, including Vehicle Standardization recommendations, reductions in bus OEM (Original Electric Bus Manufacturer) and the new Clean Truck Check Program, the industry will rely on our dedication and commitment. Additionally, our committee will remain focused and engaged on the development of our workforce, the challenges and progress of the ZEB (Zero-Emission Bus) transition and providing detailed feedback on the Innovative Clean Transit’s (ICT’s) 2026 Comprehensive Review. I have no reservations about the Committee’s value and am excited to see us continue to shape the industry for a better transit for all.”
The Small Operators Committee, chaired by Napa Valley Transportation Authority’s Executive Director Kate Miller, highlights the voices and special concerns of small transit operators. Miller stated, “The Small Operators Committee continues to focus on issues and challenges unique to small operators. I am excited that we have new participants on the Small Operators Committee this year, many of whom represent the next generation of leaders in our industry. The Committee continues to work with Caltrans and CalSTA on streamlining grant processes to ensure that we receive funding on time. We are optimistic that we will make some progress on this issue this year.” Efforts to make progress include addressing the specific grant administration issues for FTA 5310, 5311, and small urbanized 5307. Additionally, the committee will coordinate with the Association’s ZEB Task Force and Maintenance Committee, as well as CARB, to further inform the ICT’s 2026 Comprehensive Review.
The Information Technology Committee, chaired by Access LA’s Director of Information Technology Bill Tsuei, helps facilitate collaboration between IT entities and transit agencies. The Committee has identified several focus areas for the service term. In Artificial Intelligence, the committee will consider both predictive, which according to Tsuei, “leverages existing data analysis practices to predict the inherently unpredictable outcomes among transit peers,” and generative, which “strives to produce content that hinges on as deep an ‘understanding’ of humanlike concepts as we can squeeze out of a machine to improve transit operations.” The committee will also engage in several cybersecurity activities to safeguard operations, including an effort amongst small to medium sized agencies promoting good agency-wide security practices, awareness, and training. The committee will continue to promote integrated mobility services including microtransit and paratransit; share past emerging technology procurement lessons; and promote regional cooperation amongst agencies to integrate and unify signage systems.
Although not a standing committee, the ZEB Task Force, chaired by Chief Executive Officer Doran Barnes of Foothill Transit, provides strong subject matter expertise on this long-term issue. The Task Force engages CARB and advises on the Innovative Clean Transit Regulation, In-Use Locomotive Regulation, Commercial Harborcraft Regulation, Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation, the Heavy-Duty Omnibus Regulation, and the Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Explained Barnes of the Task Force’s work, “The taskforce will continue to provide a forum for our transit community to share experiences regarding zero-emissions roll outs. As we work our way towards zero, I think it will be crucial for us to focus on real solutions that balance available technologies with available financial resources. Our work will be particularly important this year as CARB will be preparing the next update to the Innovative Clean Transit Regulation in advance of the 2026 increases in zero-emission bus purchase requirements. The taskforce will play a key role in interfacing with CARB staff and board members as this important update occurs.”
Informing Policy Positions: State and Federal Legislative Committee Actions
The State Legislative Committee and Federal Legislative Committee review policy proposals, help the Association formulate and take positions on introduced legislation and regulations, and determine the Association’s annual sponsored legislative package and budgetary actions.
At the end of each year, Association staff solicits legislative proposals and input from membership for state and federal legislative programs. Staff researches and analyzes these proposals, often with input from specialized policy subject committees. After an analysis is completed, the committees take these proposals up for consideration. Proposals are approved by a majority vote of committee members.
“As your Association advocates, we want to hear from members about proposals for and concerns about legislation,” said Alchemy Graham, Legislative and Regulatory Advocate for the Association. “While we have an official legislative proposal submission period, we’re always available if you have an idea you want to discuss.”
How to Get Involved in Committee Work
For Association members interested in serving full terms on the Association’s standing committees, the next solicitation of interest and membership selection process will occur in early 2026 – with one exception. The next solicitation of interest and membership selection process for the State and Federal Legislative Committee will occur in summer 2024.
However, Association staff and committee chairs are available throughout the year to answer member questions and consider proposals.