2015 Mobility 21 Summit

Sponsorships for the 14th annual Southern California Transportation Summit are now open! Join us for California’s largest one-day transportation event on Friday, Aug. 28 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim.

2015 Summit sponsors will experience:

  • Access to public and private sector transportation decision-makers
  • Visibility at California’s largest one-day transportation Summit and Expo
  • Pre-event publicity to thousands of transportation sector professionals
  • Networking with business partners, clients, elected leaders and speakers
  • Value for your investment with highly competitive sponsorship rates

Click here to view the sponsorship packages. E-mail Kristin Slocum for more details or call 949.288.6884.


Hear More About Mobility 21 and the Summit
From Our Board Members

Check out our YouTube channel and Facebook page to view the videos!

Arthur T. Leahy
Chairman, Mobility 21


Steve Finnegan
Manager of Government Affairs and Public Policy, Automobile Club of Southern California
Board Member, Mobility 21


Darrell Johnson
CEO, Orange County Transportation Authority
Board Member, Mobility 21


Mobility 21 Advisory Board Member Spotlight:
Kristin Decas
Executive Director, Port of Hueneme

A proven leader, Kristin Decas has repeatedly demonstrated her ability to build vision and implement strategy through open, collaborative processes that foster results.

Since beginning her tenure with the Port of Hueneme in February 2012, the Port has realized several successes. The total tonnage for FY 2013 jumped to over 1.4 million metric tons marking the Port’s most active trade year since its inception in 1937. The Port also turned a significant corner in FY 2014 achieving its strongest fiscal numbers in history at over $13.7 million in gross operating revenue. The Port is now launching a Strategic Action Plan and rebranding campaign. Kristin championed the first annual Port Banana Festival, drawing over 10,000 visitors to the Port. Port of Hueneme related activities generate $1.1 billion in annual economic impact and create more than 10,200 direct, indirect, induced and influenced jobs.

Prior to serving for the Port of Hueneme, Kristin served as CEO and Port Director for the Port of New Bedford, MA, the nation’s number one value fishing port. In 2007, when Kristin took the helm as the director for the Port, she inherited a $200,000 deficit. Kristin literally ‘cleaned up’ the financial and physical landscape. During her five years at this post, she orchestrated a complete fiscal turnaround; from 2008, and every year thereafter, her prudent fiscal management generated a healthy profit for the Port. Kristin played a vital role in the development of a new terminal to support the nation’s first offshore wind energy project. Under her leadership the Port also realized significant growth in cruise and recreational boating activity.

Kristin is recognized by Trade Administration officials for her impressive work in promoting economic development through international trade promotion, and for her service on scores of federal level shipping and port committees. Most recently Kristin was awarded a high-profile appointment by the U.S. Department of Transportation to both the National Freight Advisory Committee (NFAC) and the U.S. Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC).

The board of directors of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), a trade association representing more than 130 public port authorities in the US, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America, elected Kristin as the association’s chair for the 2014-2015 activity year. Ms. Decas will take office at the conclusion of the association’s annual convention in Houston in November.

Kristin lives in Oxnard, CA with her husband and is the proud mother of two daughters.


Mobility 21 Advisory Board Member Spotlight:
Victor J. Martinez, PE
Vice President, HNTB

Victor J. Martinez serves as Vice President for HNTB Corporation, an employee-owned infrastructure firm serving public and private owners and contractors, delivering a full range of infrastructure-related services, including award-winning planning, design, program management and construction management.

Vic has over 34 years of project management experience on complex, high-profile transportation projects throughout Southern California. From highway corridors involving dozens of complex structures to significant interchange and highway widenings, he has the ability to collaborate with clients, Caltrans, Federal Highway Administration, and other stakeholders and local communities while serving as principal-in-charge for large, multidisciplinary teams including fast-tracked efforts. His collaborative yet take charge manner provides for appropriate leadership of the project team and sensitivity during public events. Vic’s strong ties to Southern California and his many community and agency connections afford him the leverage to get imperative projects designed, approved and completed on time and within budget.

HNTB was selected by the City of Los Angeles to design the new Sixth Street Viaduct Replacement Project, a historic bridge over the Los Angeles River that connects Boyle Heights to downtown Los Angeles. As project manager for this world-class, iconic piece of Los Angeles infrastructure, Vic oversees the delivery of the final design and construction support services for the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2018. HNTB’s design pays respect to the original bridge and also offers improved access to the Los Angeles River and easier bike and pedestrian access.

Prior to joining HNTB, Vic worked on numerous major civil engineering projects in the region including the I-215 Reconstruction/Widening, a $200 million freeway reconstruction/widening project through downtown San Bernardino; the SR 79 Realignment Project; SR 60 HOV widening project; I405 HOV widening project; SR 55 widening in the cities of Anaheim and Orange and the PSR for the I5/SR 55 interchange in the cities of Santa Ana and Tustin.

Vic earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and a Management Certificate from University of California Irvine Extension. He is licensed as a professional civil engineer in the state of California and holds membership in various professional organizations, including WTS-OC.


Officials Visit Merchants Impacted by
Crenshaw/LAX Line Construction

Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Chair Eric Garcetti, along with Metro Board members Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts, toured Metro’s recently opened Business Solution Center to help businesses impacted by construction of the Crenshaw/LAX light-rail line between 48th and 60th streets.

“The Crenshaw line is a tremendous investment in our infrastructure to cut traffic, stimulate the economy, and finally connect rail to LAX. This center is about making sure businesses get the support they need while Metro makes the infrastructure investments Angelinos deserve,” said Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Created by the Metro Board, the new Business Solution Center at 3450 Mount Vernon Drive, near Crenshaw Boulevard, is a pilot program to assist businesses by providing free support services to business owners including business development and financial referrals.

“The Crenshaw/LAX line will bring much economic growth and opportunity in the local community once it is completed,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. “However, we need to ensure that the businesses affected by the construction have the help they need to weather the storm. While construction is ongoing, Metro’s pilot Business Solution Center will be a great resource for merchants, so they can receive expert advice and technical assistance.”

The Business Solution Center is part of an unprecedented effort by Metro to help impacted businesses during construction of the light-rail lines including Crenshaw/LAX, the Regional Connector and the Purple Line Extension. Del Richards & Associates, Inc. is administrating the Business Solution Center.

“Metro remains committed to promoting businesses impacted by rail construction and the opening of the Business Solution Center is a step forward in the right direction,” said Metro Board member Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker. “I am proud to have been a part of creating this Business Solution Center which is a cutting edge solution in the county that will offer expert business advice, technical assistance and financial referrals to merchants along the Crenshaw corridor during construction of the new light-rail line.”

Small businesses that are near but not within the 48th to 60th street area along the Crenshaw/LAX corridor will also have access to the Business Solution Center for business and technical assistance, including case management referrals to business development partners.

The Business Solution Center is located within the Los Angeles Urban League facility. A satellite office also will be established at 510 S. La Brea Avenue, Inglewood. Operating hours for the main office are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Metro has also initiated a promotional campaign Eat, Shop, Play Crenshaw that encourages residents to pledge to shop locally and win cash prizes of up to $1,000. Metro is also promoting business through its “Open for Business” video series, featuring businesses along the rail alignment.

In addition, Metro is to launch the Business Interruption Fund: a separate program that will provide financial assistance to impacted businesses along the alignments of three transit rail construction corridor: Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project, Little Tokyo area of the Regional Connector and section 1 of the Purple Line Extension.

The 8.5-mile Crenshaw/LAX Line is a $2.058 billion light-rail line that will connect the Green Line and the Expo Line. It will have eight new stations to serve the Crenshaw, Inglewood and LAX communities. It is expected to open in 2019.

For more information on the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project go to metro.net/Crenshaw or join us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CrenshawRail and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/crenshawrail or call the project hotline (213) 922-2736.


Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency Refunds Bonds at Significant Savings

Continued favorable trends in the municipal bond market allowed the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) to refinance a series of bonds issued in 1995 at significant savings. The sale closed on February 19.

$180 million of toll revenue bonds, originally issued in 1995 to fund construction of the 133, 241 and 261 Toll Roads in Orange County, were refunded with lower interest rates resulting in over $30 million in present value savings.

The F/ETCA Board of Directors voted in January to monetize the savings up front to lock in the current, low interest rates and reduce potential future capital project financing needs under higher interest rates. By utilizing the funds for qualified capital projects over the next three to five years, the agency will be able to preserve its unrestricted cash reserves.

The refinancing did not increase debt service in any year and will not extend the principal payment dates. The continued strong traffic and revenue performance of the 133, 241 and 261 Toll Roads resulted in strong and diverse investor demand for the transaction.

TCA’s long-term financial strategy is to maintain and improve its credit ratings as well as continue strong transaction and revenue performance. The successful refinancing of the 1995 Bonds generated substantial savings for F/ETCA and strengthened the agency’s financial resources.

The Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency is a joint powers authority made up of the County of Orange and the cities of Anaheim, Dana Point, Irvine, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Orange, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Tustin and Yorba Linda.


Ranchero Road Interchange Opens in
San Bernardino County

On Friday, February 20, San Bernardino Associated Governments Vice President Ryan McEachron was joined by more than 300 people made up of residents, business owners, city, county and state officials and project team members to celebrate the opening of the much-needed, highly-anticipated Interstate 15 Ranchero Road Interchange.

This approximately $55 million investment into the High Desert region offers another east/west connection for thousands of San Bernardino County commuters. Combining this new interchange with the recently completed Ranchero Road Underpass to the east will reduce commuting by many miles and save commuters valuable time from their daily drive.

“There is still more to do here in the High Desert,” Vice President McEachron offered the crowd. “SANBAG and Caltrans are working on improvements in the Cajon Pass; we’re nearing completion of the Lenwood Road Grade Separation Project in Barstow; and, everyone is excited about the work going on along the Yucca Loma Corridor between Victorville and Apple Valley.”

Vice President McEachron was joined by County Supervisor Robert Lovingood, Hesperia Mayor Eric Schmidt, Caltrans District 8 Director Basem Muallem, and special guest, Hon. Jay Obernolte, Assembly Member – 33rd District. The event culminated with all the hundreds of attendees assisting Mayor Schmidt cut the ribbon on the “new gateway to the High Desert.”

The interchange was opened to traffic the same day.


Officials Commemorate Opening of
West County Connectors in Orange County

Local, state and federal officials joined the Orange County Transportation Authority at a dedication ceremony earlier this month for the West County Connectors project.

Drivers are now able to travel in the carpool lanes from the Garden Grove Freeway (SR-22) to the San Diego Freeway (I-405) to the San Gabriel Freeway (I-605), and the reverse, without ever having to exit the carpool lanes.

The four-year West County Connectors construction project is aimed at easing congestion and enhancing safety along the most heavily traveled stretch of freeway in the nation.

The $297 million project by the Orange County Transportation Authority, in cooperation with Caltrans, allows for seamless transitions between the three freeways eliminating the merging and weaving of cars that previously occurred, a major cause of congestion. In addition, the project adds a second carpool on I-405 in both directions between SR-22 and I-605. The I-405 near the border of Orange and Los Angeles counties carries approximately 370,000 cars a day.


LA Chamber World Trade Week Kickoff Breakfast

Tuesday, May 5
Beverly Hilton Hotel
More Info | Register

The World Trade Week (WTW) program has 89 years of history promoting international trade as essential to a healthy local and national economy. During its celebration throughout the month of May, more than 30 events are jumpstarted by the annual WTW Kickoff Breakfast. The importance of globalization will be addressed at the Kickoff Breakfast where the keynote will give insightful remarks on the impact of global trade to over 600 guests.


Transportation Events in the Community

Friday, March 6
WTS-LA: Lunch with Hilda Solis, County Supervisor and Metro Board Member
More info | Register

Monday, March 16
ASCE Orange County Transportation Technical Group: Interstate 405 Improvement Project
More info | Register

Thursday, March 19
IEEP: State of the Region Conference
More info | Register

Sunday, March 22
WTS San Diego: Hot Chocolate 5k
More info | Register

Friday, March 27
Rail Users’ Network: Making the Transition from Roads to Rail Conference
More info | Register

Tuesday, March 31
OCBC: Workforce Housing Forum
More info | Register

Tuesday, April 7
Forecast LA
More info | Register

May 4-7
ACT Expo 2015
More info | Register

Tuesday, May 5
LA Chamber: World Trade Week Kickoff Breakfast
More info | Register

May 7-8
SCAG: Regional Conference and General Assembly
More info | Register

May 20-22
WTS International: Annual Conference in Chicago
More info | Register

Thursday, June 18
SANBAG: General Assembly
More info

Thursday, June 25
FuturePorts: Strong Ports=Strong California Conference

Friday, Aug. 28
Mobility 21: 2015 Summit at Disneyland Hotel
Sponsor

Nov. 15-17
Self-Help Counties Coalition: Focus on the Future Conference
More info

Nov. 18-20
California Transit Association: Fall Conference and Expo
More info