Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) Deputy Chief Executive Officer Valarie McFall has been named Woman of the Year by the Orange County Chapter of Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) during a virtual ceremony held Thursday, Dec. 17. The annual award honors a woman who is a leader in transportation and has made an outstanding contribution to the transportation industry.

McFall joined TCA in 2000 and has spent 20 years spearheading management and restoration efforts of nearly 2,200 acres of land for mitigation of transportation projects. She has held several key positions within the Agencies that allowed her to perform this important work, progressing over the years from Senior Environmental Planner to Principal Planner to Chief of Environmental Planning. This year, she became TCA’s first ever Deputy CEO.

“Valarie is a key contributor to TCA’s bright future, and she is leading the charge to help advance women in the transportation industry. Through her expertise and professional affiliations with various industry and governmental organizations, Valarie has led by example, breaking down barriers and acting as a voice for female professionals,” said TCA Chief Executive Officer Samuel Johnson. “Valarie is also an inspirational advocate for important causes and initiatives. She understands the needs and rewards of finding balance in transportation development and environmental protection.”

In selecting a recipient for this award, WTS sought a leader in transportation who has made an outstanding contribution to the transportation industry. McFall has done just that. As Chief Environmental Planning Officer, she was responsible for managing TCA’s 17 mitigation sites and achieving international recognition for TCA’s environmental programs. Her efforts have yielded significant results, including the preservation of multiple key properties throughout Orange County to ensure the continued presence of important native habitat for wildlife species and the protection of core wildlife linkages that run from the coast to the inland portion of the county.

Her expertise in transportation planning proved instrumental to TCA in advancing the 241/91 Express Connector Project – a critically important, large-scale project that will provide countywide and regional congestion relief.

“I’m so honored to be recognized by WTS. I’m privileged to be able to do the work I love in a supportive environment in which I am able to champion the efforts of other talented women in our organization and in the transportation industry at large,” McFall said. “WTS has done so much to advance women in transportation. Their mission aligns with TCA’s values that place the emphasis on the qualifications of the individual regardless of race, religion, gender, identity or affiliation. I look forward to continued collaboration with WTS to forward important mobility projects in our region.” 

The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) are two joint powers authorities formed by the California legislature in 1986 to plan, finance, construct and operate Orange County’s public toll road system comprised of the 73, 133, 241 and 261 Toll Roads.