LANCASTER – The Antelope Valley Board of Trade is hosting a Regional Transportation Forum at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 22, at the J.P. Eliopulos Hellenic Center, 43404 30th St. West, Lancaster.
A special panel of Los Angeles County transportation officials will discuss what is planned to help with the growing concerns about the Southern California transportation system and what might happen in the future. Speaking will be Don Sepulveda, Regional Rail Executive Officer for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority; Gail Farber, Director of the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works; and Raffi Hamparian, Federal Affairs and Government Relations Manager, LA County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
“ We have invited a panel of transportation experts to speak about the AV perspectives and common themes regarding regional transportation concerns and challenges. Each speaker will have an opportunity to speak about their agency’s goals and objectives. This is an excellent opportunity for everyone to hear about current transportation issues and the barriers that are inhibiting the build-out and maintenance of a robust transportation system,” said AVBOT Transportation Committee Co-Chairmen Bill Taylor and John Currado.
As MetroLink executive officer, Sepulveda leads the team responsible for high-speed rail in Los Angeles County, management of the Metro-owned commuter rail right-of-way, Metro’s involvement with Metrolink, and goods movement. Prior to joining Metro, he worked in the private sector as a project manager for railroad infrastructure projects throughout Southern California and other parts of the United States.
As Public Works Director, Farber serves as county roads commissioner, county engineer, and chief engineer of the County Flood Control District. The department has 4,000 employees and an annual budget of $2 billion. Prior to her present position, she spent 19 years with Caltrans in a variety of engineering and planning positions.
Hamparian is a former Congressional aide and a longtime political activist. His position with the Metro Authority involves him in directing all activities related to legislation and elected officials, involving legislative analyses, budgets, reports and briefings.
The luncheon is $20 with reservation and $25 at the door. For reservations contact the Board of Trade office at 661-942-9581 or by email at teri@avbot.org. Granite Construction is sponsoring the Board of Trade meeting.