OCTA Bids Farewell to Jim Kenan 
Jim Kenan accepts his resolution from Chairman Jerry Amante at Monday’s board meeting. To listen to Kenan’s interview about his time at OCTA click here. OCTA will say goodbye to one of its most veteran executives this week, Jim Kenan. “It has been my pleasure to work with Jim over the past eight months. He has been a terrific help to me as the incoming CEO of OCTA,” CEO Will Kempton said. “The events leading up to his retirement reflect the respect, love and affection all of us have for Jim Kenan, and we will be sad to see him go.“ The current deputy CEO is retiring from OCTA after more than 30 years of serving the transportation needs of Orange County. “It has been extremely rewarding being part of such an extraordinary organization,” Kenan said during an interview last Wednesday. “No matter where I go in Orange County, I will always be reminded of the benefits of this great organization.” Kenan leaves behind a legacy of transportation projects that have served commuters throughout the county as well as forging a reputation as one of OCTA’s prominent driving forces in navigating the agency through challenges of the last three decades. Kenan was a major contributor in the consolidation in 1991 of the seven transportation agencies of Orange County to one single entity, which is now OCTA. “The consolidation fundamentally changed the structure and organization of transportation in Orange County,” Kenan said. “It took almost five years, but we reduced the workforce and increased the caliber of people working for the agency, saving taxpayers more than $175 million.” One of the highlights of Kenan’s career was helping OCTA navigate through Orange County’s bankruptcy in 1994. The USC graduate led Orange County in communications with Wall Street executives during the crisis, establishing OCTA as a premier public agency. Through open and honest communications with Wall Street during the county's bankrupcy and subsequent years, OCTA established a solid financial reputation, setting the bar for a successful investor relations program that continues today. The transportation veteran also was a driving force behind OCTA’s purchase of the 91 Express Lanes in 2003. Kenan led the staff negotiations between OCTA and the private sector, securing the 91 Express Lanes, which ranks among the most successful toll roads in the country. “This agency has always been about the people who work here,” Kenan said. “We can’t lose sight of that – everyone is important. I have always had high expectations for the people in this organization and it has definitely paid off.” Kenan, a self-described eternal optimist, will continue to help OCTA through economic challenges. Through good leadership, positive thinking and preparedness, he believes OCTA will be able to face and overcome challenges in these uncertain financial times. “Jim has been a marvelous individual here. I have had the honor of working with him for the past eight years, and I am very sorry to see him go,” said Director Bill Campbell, also an Orange County Supervisor. “It has been a privilege working with him, and I wish him the best of luck in his retirement.” Event Celebrates Win-Win Partnership with Disneyland Resort OCTA, the Disneyland Resort and the Anaheim Transportation Network unveiled a new service Friday to transport Disneyland guests from the new Toy Story parking lot to Disneyland’s entrance. OCTA celebrated a continued partnership with the private sector on Friday as Disneyland announced it would be using OCTA buses to transport guests from the new Toy Story parking area to the theme parks. For more Transportation in 2 videos, visit OCTA’s YouTube channel. The Disneyland Resort and the Anaheim Transportation Network leased 20 OCTA buses for three years to facilitate the shuttle service. “OCTA’s partnership with the Anaheim Transportation Network and Disney is an ideal example of how government and the private sector can successfully work together to deliver transportation solutions to our communities,” said OCTA Chairman Jerry Amante, also mayor of Tustin. The agreement will generate approximately $22,000 per month for OCTA and provide much-needed employment opportunities for Orange County. In addition to leasing the buses, the Anaheim Transportation Network has agreed to make every effort to hire former OCTA coach operators and has hired 15 coach operators to date. 
The partnership with OCTA, Disneyland and the Anaheim Transportation Network will create employment opportunities in Orange County as well as generate much-needed revenue for OCTA. “We were able to match our need for bus service with an opportunity created by budget reductions at OCTA, “ said George Kalogridis, president of the Disneyland Resort. “We take pride in finding creative ways to operate Disneyland Resort – but it never feels better than when we can fill both a community and a business need so successfully.” Anaheim Mayor and OCTA Director Curt Pringle also participated in the event with other dignitaries, business leaders, Disney characters and park patrons. “At a time when OCTA has been forced to reduce its bus service and workforce because of declining state revenue, sales tax and fares, this is an ideal opportunity to utilize resources and generate additional revenue for our transit system,” said OCTA CEO Will Kempton. OCTA Honors Assemblyman Jose Solorio and Senators Bob Huff and Lou Correa 
Chairman Jerry Amante joined CEO Will Kempton in recognizing Nadia Villafaña, representing Assemblyman Jose Solario’s office, Sen. Bob Huff and Sen. Lou Correa Monday for their contributions to the AB X8 11 legislation signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last week. The bill allows the California Transportation Commission to enter into agreements with local transportation agencies allowing them to advance local funds on Proposition 116 projects and be eligible for reimbursement later once state bonds are sold. The bill is expected to bring more than 6,000 jobs to Southern California. CEO and Directors Travel to Washington, D.C. CEO Will Kempton traveled to Washington, D.C. with Directors Art Brown and Peter Buffa to meet with members of the congressional delegation, transportation leadership in Congress, representatives of the U.S. Department of Transportation and White House representatives. The CEO and board members described the current funding crisis at OCTA and requested flexibility in the use of federal funds for direct transit operations. They also advocated for a long-term extension of the alternative fuel tax credit, funding for positive train control implementation, goods movement and OCTA appropriations priorities for next year – initiatives spearheaded by Buffa. “The federal government could provide thousands of new jobs without any additional costs by just adjusting the process for federal funding requirements,” Kempton said. “Our comments were greeted with interest and agreement by most, as the federal government wants to address the current jobs crisis.” Congress passed the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act last week, which extends the current authorization to the end of this calendar year, repeal the rescission that occurred at the end of last fiscal year and transfer $19.5 billion from the general fund to keep the highway trust fund solvent for the next year. Secretary Dale Bonner Tours the 91 Express Lanes California’s Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, Dale Bonner, toured the 91 Express Lanes. 
Chairman Jerry Amante joined Secretary of the Business, Transportation & Housing Agency Dale Bonner, CEO and President of the Orange County Business Council Lucy Dunn and CEO Will Kempton on a tour of the 91 Express Lanes, the four-lane, 10-mile toll road built in the median of the Riverside Freeway (SR-91). OCTA Chairman Jerry Amante, CEO Will Kempton and Treasurer and General Manager of Finance and Administration Kirk Avila provided an overview of the 91 Express Lanes on Thursday, focusing on the operations, traffic statistics, congestion management pricing and the planned extension into Riverside County. The state official also toured the traffic operations center and shared positive comments about the operations of the facility. California Transportation Commissioner Lucy Dunn, also CEO and president of the Orange County Business Council, also participated in the tour. OCTA Board and Staff Members Tour Caltrans’ Transportation Management Center OCTA Directors Paul Glaab, Don Hansen, John Moorlach and Cindy Quon joined staff members in the Caltrans’ District 12 Transportation Management Center (TMC) tour last Wednesday. The tour of the TMC included the operations floor and dispatching center, the 911 call center, the building infrastructure, the supporting equipment and the computer room as well as the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The directors and staff members also received an overview of seismic monitoring, traveler information/511, incident emergency management, event coordination and planning and management of Orange County freeway system field elements. 
OCTA’s rail safety team attended the 52nd annual Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano to share rail-safe tips with children and adults. Swallows Day Swoops into San Juan Capistrano More than 5,000 people participated in the 52nd annual Swallows Day Festival in San Juan Capistrano. OCTA’s Be Rail Safe team also was there sharing tips with children and adults on how to be safe around train tracks. The rail safety awareness program is part of the nation’s first comprehensive program that involves rail safety devices at railroad crossings and a public information program. Director Cavecche Shares SR-91 Director Carolyn Cavecche shared a presentation with the Yorba Linda City Council on progress of the construction on Riverside Freeway (SR-91) Eastbound Lane Addition Project. 
Construction crews will add a new 5.9-mile eastbound lane to relieve the bottleneck congestion on Riverside Freeway (SR-91) between Eastern Toll Road (SR-241) and Corona Freeway (SR-71). In her opening remarks last Tuesday, Cavecche discussed the local, regional and national importance of the SR-91 corridor and highlighted OCTA’s strategic commitment to building “A Better 91” in partnership with local cities, the Riverside County Transportation Commission, Caltrans and the Federal Highway Administration. The presentation provided a series of snapshots that illustrated progress on major aspects of the nearly six-mile project, including staging, structural and roadwork. Cavecche also addressed the City Council on OCTA’s recent collaboration and work on the grade separation projects. CEO Crosses County Lines CEO Will Kempton participated in a series of regionwide policy meetings on Friday in Los Angeles. Members of the Mobility 21 Steering Committee discussed the direction of the Mobility 21 Transportation Summit scheduled for Oct. 29 at the Disneyland Hotel. Dan Schnur, the director of the Jesse Unruh Institute of Politics at University of Southern California, made a presentation about the collaboration of Mobility 21, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and the Los Angeles Times to develop and oversee a year-long project called “Fixing California.” The program will outline public policy challenges facing the state as well as convene a series of public discussions on these topics. Kempton also attended the monthly meeting with other CEOs of transportation agencies in Southern California. The transportation commissions and authorities discussed issues of importance to the SCAG region. Topics discussed included:
OCTA Staff Members Address Paddy Gough, executive director of Human Resources and Organizational Development, Lisa Arosteguy-Brown, department manager of Human Resources and Duy Nguyen, human resources assistant, were invited by Dr. Tam T. Nguyen and Gia Nghia Ly of the Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce to participate in a radio address on National Vietnamese Radio last Monday. 
Gia Nghia Ly of the Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce and Dr. Tam T. Nguyen joined Human Resources Assistant Duy Nguyen, Manager of Human Resources Lisa Arosteguy-Brown and Executive Director of Human Resources and Organizational Development Paddy Gough on air to discuss human resources issues in the Vietnamese community. The radio show addressed growing concerns within the local Vietnamese community for compliance with human resources regulation and practices. Many of the small businessowners in Orange County’s thriving Vietnamese community are unaware of these regulations or are unfamiliar with resources and organizations that are available to them to support their human resources needs. The OCTA staff members addressed the concerns of the Vietnamese community and offered recommendations to the businessowners so that they know where to turn to in the event of a human resources-related need. “This community outreach effort was well received and much appreciated and OCTA looks forward to furthering the partnership with the local Vietnamese community in the future,” Gough said. OCTA Welcomes 300th Vanpool from Huntington Beach On April 1, 2010, OCTA’s vanpool program will have 300 active vanpools. The 300th vanpool will commute to Boeing in Huntington Beach, which hosted the program’s launch in 2007. The program provides nearly 3,500 daily passenger trips and removes more than 1,400 cars from freeways and roads everyday during the heaviest commute times. The economy and resulting job losses in the county have had an impact on the vanpool program. OCTA continues to add vanpools that travel to additional worksites in the county. Currently, OCTA vanpools provide service to 61 worksites. Will Kempton Addresses Planning Directors Association of Orange County CEO Will Kempton attended the Planning Directors Association of Orange County’s meeting last Thursday to discuss OCTA’s regional transportation strategy and legislation guiding those plans. Kempton focused on the regional transportation plan and how SB 375 and the Sustainable Communities Strategy play into the plan. He also discussed the collaborationg of the Orange County Council of Governments and OCTA in this effort. Approximately 50 people participated in the event, representing more than 25 cities. 
Kempton to Address Irvine Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, March 23 – Will Kempton will give an update on OCTA to the Irvine Chamber of Commerce Executive Board, including pertinent legislation, OCTA’s current funding situation and projects affecting the Irvine area. The discussion will take place from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Irvine Chamber offices. Contact Laura Scheper at (714) 560-5697 or lscheper@octa.net. Kempton Giving OCTA Update to ACEC Wednesday, March 24 – Will Kempton will speak at the American Council of Engineering Companies meeting regarding the current financial situation, as well as current and upcoming projects. The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Wyndham Hotel in Costa Mesa. Contact Laura Scheper at (714) 560-5697 or lscheper@octa.net. Vice Chairman Bates Attending San Clemente Chamber of Commerce Wednesday, March 24 – Vice Chairman Bates will give an update to the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce Legislative and Transportation Council. The meeting will take place from noon. to 1 p.m. at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in San Clemente. Contact Laura Scheper at (714) 560-5697 or lscheper@octa.net. Director Cavecche Sharing Information with Local Senior Center Thursday, March 25 – Director Cavecche will share information with volunteers from the Orange County Adult Senior Service Center on March 25 from 3:15 to 4:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Saint Boniface Church in Anaheim and focus on OCTA’s current economic situation and how it is affecting bus service. Contact Laura Scheper at (714) 560-5697 or lscheper@octa.net. OCTA to Share Information on I-5 HOV Extension Project to San Clemente Monday, March 31 – OCTA and Caltrans staff members will host an open house meeting in San Clemente at the Ole Hanson Room from 6 to 8 p.m. to share information with the public about the Santa Ana Freeway (I-5) HOV extension project. Contact Tresa Oliveri at (714) 560-5374 or toliveri@octa.net. 
OCTA reduced bus service by 150,000 hours that are necessary to make up for major cuts in state funding and significant drops in sales tax revenue and fare revenue. March 12 – The Orange County Register and ABC Channel 7 News both covered stories about OCTA reducing Night Owl bus service. March 12 – The Orange County Register wrote a story about OCTA reducing bus service in the cities of Garden Grove and Westminster. March 12 – The Daily Pilot ran an article about OCTA reducing bus service in the cities of Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. March 12 – The Red County California Magazine published an article about OCTA reducing bus service in the city of Seal Beach. March 12 – The Orange County Register wrote a story about OCTA reducing bus service in the city of Tustin. March 12 – The Dana Point Times posted a story about OCTA reducing bus service in the city of Dana Point. March 16 – The Orange County Register published a story about OCTA reducing bus service in the city of Fountain Valley. March 16 – The Orange County Register and Long Beach Press-Telegram both included articles about a man being arrested for attempted murder after he rammed his car head on into a Transit Police Services deputy’s vehicle while the deputy was waiting at a stop light. March 17 – The OC Metro published an article about OCTA naming Darrell Johnson as new deputy CEO, effective March 29. 
The annual Swallows Day Parade celebrates the legend of the return of the swallows to the San Juan Capistrano Mission on St. Josephs, March 19. The parade is the nation’s largest nonmotorized parade organized and presented by the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association. March 17 – The Orange County Register printed a story about Metrolink adding train service this Saturday and Sunday to San Juan Capistrano for the Swallows Day parade. March 18 – The Orange County Register wrote a story about wall construction taking place on Imperial Highway, west of Beach Boulevard, as part of the Imperial Highway Smart Street project. March 18 – The Orange County Register posted a story about the city of Laguna Niguel applying for $332,000 in federal grant funds for a street improvement project on Camino Capistrano. March 18 – The Orange County Register ran an article about Walnut Avenue closing – from Glassell Street to Batavia Avenue – so new medians and crossing-gate arms at the railroad crossing can be installed. March 18 – The Orange County Register published a story about Jeffrey Road closing for two consecutive weekends, as workers get the newly built railroad bridge ready for trains.
Approved Travel Requests March 12 to March 19 – Erin Rogers, Leadership American Public Transportation Association Class of 2010, Washington, D.C . March 13 to March 17 – Richard Bacigalupo, American Public Transportation Association meetings, Washington, D.C. March 15 to March 17 – Kristine Murray, Orange County Business Council Advocacy Trip, Washington, D.C.
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