Boards Select 2024 Chairs and Vice Chairs, Welcomes Four New Board Members

The San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency (SJHTCA) and Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) Boards of Directors held leadership elections for the current calendar year to guide the Agencies in continuing the practice of strong fiscal management and pursuit of enhanced mobility in Orange County.

The SJHTCA Board of Directors unanimously elected Laguna Hills Councilmember Janine Heft as Chair and Santa Ana Councilmember David Penaloza as Vice Chair. The F/ETCA Board of Directors unanimously reelected San Juan Capistrano Councilmember John Taylor as Chair and Mission Viejo Mayor Trish Kelley as Vice Chair.

Chair Heft joined the SJHTCA Board of Directors in 2018. She was elected to the Laguna Hills City Council in 2016 and won another four-year term in 2020 when she was chosen by her peers on the City Council to serve as Mayor of Laguna Hills.

Vice Chair Penaloza joined the SJHTCA Board of Directors in 2019. He was elected to the Santa Ana City Council in 2018 and served as Mayor Pro Tem in 2021.

Chair Taylor joined the F/ETCA Board of Directors in 2020. He was elected to the San Juan Capistrano City Council in 2019 and won another four-year term in 2022. His peers on the City Council chose Chair Taylor to serve as Mayor in 2021.

Vice Chair Kelley joined the Boards of Directors for SJHTCA and F/ETCA in 2019. She served as Chair for SJHTCA in 2020-2021 and Vice Chair in 2023. Vice Chair Kelley was elected to the Mission Viejo City Council in November 2002 and served as Mayor in 2005, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2021. Her peers on the City Council chose her to serve as Mayor in 2024.

During the meeting, both Boards welcomed four new Directors:

San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency: John Stephens, City of Costa Mesa Councilmember and Robyn Grant, City of Newport Beach Councilmember.

Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency: Natalie Meeks, City of Anaheim Councilmember and Ray Schnell, City of Tustin Councilmember.

TCA’s two Boards of Directors boast five Mayors and five Mayors Pro Tem.

TCA’s Chairs and Vice Chairs serve one-year terms and are permitted to serve multiple terms if elected by their peers.

TCA Recognizes Outgoing Board Members

The SJHTCA Board of Directors was pleased to recognize the outstanding service of outgoing Director Arlis Reynolds, City of Costa Mesa, having serviced on the Board since 2021. During her service, Director Reynolds was a champion of TCA’s environmental program serving on the Joint Environmental Committee each year of her tenure. In addition to time spent supporting the Agency’s environmental efforts, Director Reynolds served on the Joint External Affairs Committee, the Joint Capital Programs and Projects Committee as well as the Joint Contracts Ad Hoc Committee. Director Reynolds will serve as a board alternate for 2024.

The F/ETCA Board of Directors recognized Director Austin Lumbard, City of Tustin, who has served the Agency since 2021. Director Lumbard served on several committees including the Joint Capital Programs and Projects Committee, the Joint Environmental Committee and the Joint Contracts Ad Hoc Committee, adding great value to the Agency.

Director Ashleigh Aitken was recognized for her service for the 2023 term, representing the City of Anaheim. As a Board Member she was actively engaged in policy matters of great importance to the Agency, having served on the Joint Capital Programs and Projects Committee, the Joint Finance and Investment Committee and the Foothill/Eastern 241/91 Policies and Agreements Ad Hoc Committee.

For more information on TCA board members and priority projects, visit TheTollRoads.com.