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Board of Directors

Board of Directors

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Board of Directors Meetings

Regular meetings are held the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 5:00 pm.
(The Board generally holds one meeting per month during the months of August, November and December and Special meetings as necessary.)

Board Contact Information

Board of Directors
Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District
1600 Franklin Street, 10th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Fax Number: (510) 891-4705

Standing Committees of the Board

Operations Committee
Joel B. Young, Chair
The Operations Committee  shall be responsible for reviewing all activities associated with the operation of the District’s bus service and administrative business functions.  In addition, the Committee shall be responsible for oversight of the Board’s operational and personnel policies.
External Affairs Committee
Elsa Ortiz, Chair
The External Affairs Committee shall be responsible for reviewing all activities associated with promoting the District’s interests primarily through legislation, marketing, customer services, and community outreach.  In addition, the Committee shall be responsible for oversight of the Board’s administrative and legal policies.
Planning Committee
Diane Shaw, Chair

The Planning Committee shall be responsible for reviewing all planning, construction and engineering activities, including the development of new and modifications to existing bus service provided by the District to its customers.  In addition, the Committee shall be responsible for oversight of the Board’s service development, planning, environmental and Title VI policies.
Finance & Audit Committee
H. E. Christian Peeples, Chair
The Finance and Audit Committee shall be responsible for reviewing issues involving District financial matters primarily the preparation of the operating and capital budgets, mid-year adjustments and review of the audited financial statements.  In addition, the Committee shall be responsible for the oversight of the Board’s fiscal policies.
AC Transit Financing Corporation
Annual December Meeting

The AC Transit Financing Corporation became incorporated under the laws of the State of California on May 6, 1988. The Corporation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation and is organized pursuant to the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law of the Sate of California for the purpose of rendering financial assistance to the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) by financing, refinancing, acquiring, constructing, improving, leasing and selling of buildings, building improvements, equipment and other public improvements, lands and any other real or personal property for benefits of residents of the District and surrounding areas, to promote the common good and welfare of residents of the District and surrounding areas, and to borrow the necessary funds.

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Internal/External Board Liaison Assignments

INTERNAL LIAISON COMMITTEES
Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC)
Regular Member: SHAW
Alternate Member: PEEPLES

DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this committee is to review, comment and advise the Board of Directors and District staff regarding the implementation of planning programs and services for elderly and disabled people.
AC Transit/City of Berkeley Interagency Liaison Committee
Regular Members: YOUNG, WALSH
Alternate Members: PEEPLES, BECKLES

DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this committee is to provide a cooperative framework to provide input on issues of mutual interest between AC Transit and the City of Berkeley. The committee consists of 2 members of the AC Transit Board of Directors and 2 members of the Berkeley City Council.
AC Transit/City of Emeryville Liaison Committee
Regular Members
: WALSH, PEEPLES
Alternate Members: YOUNG

DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this committee is to provide a cooperative framework to provide input on issues of mutual interest between AC Transit and the City of Emeryville. The committee consists of 2 members of the AC Transit Board of Directors and 2 members of the Emeryville City Council.

BART/AC Transit Liaison Committee
Regular Members: PEEPLES, SHAW, WALSH
Alternate Members: YOUNG

DESCRIPTION: Joint meeting of two Directors from BART and two Directors from AC Transit to discuss items of mutual interest to both agencies.
Bus Rapid Transit Policy Steering Committee (BRT)
Regular Members: ORTIZ, WALSH, PEEPLES
Alternate Members: YOUNG

DESCRIPTION: This committee was established to oversee the District’s Major Investment Study and to make recommendations to the AC Transit Board of Directors for investments in the Berkeley-Oakland-San Leandro corridor. The committee meets at key junctures in project decision-making such as the selection of alignment, mode or design treatments in each city. The committee is composed of members of the AC Transit Board of Directors and representatives of MTC, the cities of Berkeley, Oakland and San Leandro and Alameda County.
City of Hayward/AC Transit Interagency Liaison Committee
Regular Members: WILLIAMS, SHAW
Alternate Members: PEEPLES

DESCRIPTION: This committee meets to review major plans, projects and proposals that affect AC Transit service within the City of Hayward. The purpose of the committee is to improve communication and coordination between the two bodies and attempt to resolve any outstanding issues before major decisions are made by either body. The committee is comprised of 2 members each of the AC Transit Board of Directors and the Hayward City Council.
City of Alameda/AC Transit Interagency Liaison Committee
Regular Members: ORTIZ, PEEPLES
Alternate Members: YOUNG

DESCRIPTION: This committee meets to review major plans, projects and proposals that affect AC Transit service within the City of Alameda. The purpose of the committee is to improve communication and coordination between the two bodies and attempt to resolve any outstanding issues before major decisions are made by either body. The committee is comprised of 2 members each of the AC Transit Board of Directors and the Alameda City Council.
District Parcel Tax Fiscal Oversight Committee
Regular Members: WILLIAMS
Alternate Members: PEEPLES

DESCRIPTION: This committee’s primary responsibility is to review the most recent fiscal year end annual audit to determine whether funds generated by District’s parcel tax measures have been expended in accordance with the intentions of the voters. It also provides a report of its findings to the Board of Directors on an annual basis. The Committee is composed of seven members appointed by the District’s Board of Directors and serve a three-year term. Meetings are held annually (usually in November) and are open to the public.
Retirement Board
Regular Members: PEEPLES
Alternate Members: SHAW

DESCRIPTION: The Retirement Board meets regularly to perform specific duties, including determining qualification for individual retirements; employing actuaries, investment consultants and money managers to assist in administering the fund; and advising the District’s Directors on retirement plan issues.
Service Review Committee (SRC)/Advisory Comte (SRAC)
Regular Members: SHAW
Alternate Members: PEEPLES

DESCRIPTION: East Bay Paratransit has a rider advisory committee called the SRAC which meets quarterly. The SRAC provides advice and comment to the General Managers of AC Transit and BART. Because all meetings are public and noticed in advance, the SRAC also provides a forum for public input and participation in the oversight of ADA paratransit. SRAC members typically review and comment on:

• Quarterly performance data for the ADA system
• Projected budgets and demand levels
• Measure B claims
• Proposed changes to policies or major operating procedures
• Customer satisfaction surveys
South Alameda County Policy Committee [D‐2 Fremont/Newark]
Regular Members: SHAW, YOUNG
Alternate Members: PEEPLES

DESCRIPTION: This committee was initially established to provide the policy framework for the Collaborative Transit Development Plan of 2000. The PAC consists of two elected officials each from Fremont and Newark that are appointed by the mayor and councils of each city and two AC Transit Directors appointed by the board president.
The primary responsibility of the PAC is for developing the goals and objectives for the Transit Development Plan and deciding how best to engage the public.
Transbay Task Force
Regular Members: WALSH
Alternate Members: WILLIAMS

DESCRIPTION: The task force was formed in 1992 to give the AC Transit Service Development and Marketing departments’ direct feedback from Transbay riders. All Transbay riders are invited to attend. Meetings are used to inform riders of various issues affecting Transbay service, and solicit rider input on topics such as service change proposals, bus designs, service reliability, fare adjustments, public information, etc.
EXTERNAL LIAISON COMMITTEES
Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC)
Regular Members
: ORTIZ
Alternate Members: PEEPLES

DESCRIPTION: The Alameda CTC’s mission is to plan, fund and deliver a broad spectrum of transportation projects and programs to enhance mobility throughout Alameda County.
Alameda County Conference of Mayors
Regular Members: WILLIAMS
Alternate Members: WALSH

DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this organization is to: develop and maintain a means of cooperative effort and understanding in matters of mutual interest and concern; assemble information helpful in the consideration of problems peculiar to the various areas of the county; provide guidance for united action by their respective cities in dealing with local municipal affairs; serve as city-county relations organization; consider, study and make recommendations regarding metropolitan area problems; explore all applicable avenues of thought advances in the interest of local public welfare and improved administrative policies.
Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
Regular Members
: WILLIAMS
Alternate Members: WALSH

DESCRIPTION: ABAG is the official comprehensive planning agency for the San Francisco Bay region. ABAG's mission is to strengthen cooperation and coordination among local governments. In doing so, ABAG addresses social, environmental, and economic issues that transcend local borders. The Bay Area is defined as the nine counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma. All nine counties and 99 of the 101 cities within the Bay Area are voluntary members of ABAG, representing nearly all of the region's population. ABAG is governed by a 38-member Executive Board that meets every other month on the third Thursday beginning in January. Members are appointed by their county, city, or mayor’s conference/cities association to represent cities in their county.
Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)
Regular Members
: WALSH
Alternate Members: NONE

DESCRIPTION: The Board of Directors oversees the Air District as it develops policies, plans, rules, permits, enforcement, outreach, and grant programs to protect air quality, public health, and the global climate. The Air District’s Board of Directors is made up of 24 locally elected representatives from 9 Bay Area counties. Each county’s population determines the number of representatives on the Board, as follows:

• Marin and Napa: 1 representative each;
• Solano and Sonoma: 2 representatives each;
• San Francisco and San Mateo: 3 representatives each;
• Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara: 4 representatives each.

The Board has 11 standing committees that assist the District in its mission to improve air quality, protect public health and global climate. Rules and regulations are adopted by a majority of the Board, with public hearings required before rules are changed or adopted. Questions or comments to the Board may be sent to the Clerk of the Boards. To ensure your message is presented at the next Board meeting, be sure to send it 24 hours before the meeting starts.
Contra Costa Conference of Mayors
Regular Members
: BECKLES
Alternate Members: NONE

DESCRIPTION: The Contra Costa County Mayors’ Conference has existed since the mid 1950’s. Its purpose is to be an educational forum for elected officials and a place to network and exchange information. Additionally, the Conference takes positions on issues facing member agencies. The Conference meets on the first Thursday of each month. Meetings are held in one of the 19 Contra Costa communities.
Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA)
Regular Members
: PEEPLES
Alternate Members: NONE

DESCRIPTION: The Contra Costa Transportation Authority was formed to manage the billion-dollar public investment (Measure C), oversee the design and construction of new projects, and carry out what would be the county’s first Growth Management Program. The Authority Board is composed of two elected officials from each of the four sub-regions of Contra Costa: Southwest County, Central County, East County and West County, plus two County Supervisors and a representative of the Conference of Mayors.
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) (Incl. “842”)
Regular Members
: SHAW
Alternate Members: WALSH

DESCRIPTION: Created by the state Legislature in 1970, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is the transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. The Commission’s work is guided by a 19-member policy board. Fourteen commissioners are appointed directly by local elected officials (each of the five most populous counties has two representatives, with the board of supervisors selecting one representative, and the mayors of the cities within that county appointing another; the four remaining counties appoint one commissioner to represent both the cities and the board of supervisors). In addition, two members represent regional agencies — the Association of Bay Area Governments and the Bay Conservation and Development Commission. Finally, three nonvoting members have been appointed to represent federal and state transportation agencies and the federal housing department.
Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA)
Regular Members
: SHAW
Alternate Members: ORTIZ

DESCRIPTION: The TJPA Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from the City and County of San Francisco and the State of California, including the SF Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA), the Office of the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors; the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit); and the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board-Cal-train, composed of the City and County of San Francisco, the San Mateo County Transit District, and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority.
West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee
Regular Members
: BECKLES
Alternate Members: PEEPLES

DESCRIPTION: WCCTAC participates in defining and implementing policies, programs, and projects to improve local and regional transportation and air quality. WCCTAC is one of four Regional Transportation Planning Committees in Contra Costa County. WCCTAC is governed by a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement between the following member agencies: the cities of El Cerrito, Hercules, Pinole, Richmond, San Pablo; Contra Costa County; and the transit providers, AC Transit, BART, and WestCAT.

Board of Directors

Elsa Ortiz
Elsa Ortiz
President
Elsa Ortiz was elected in November 2006 and is serving her fourth term on the AC Transit Board of Directors representing the City of Alameda and portions of Oakland and San Leandro. Until her retirement in December 2014, Ms. Ortiz worked as an attorney and policy consultant to former Presidents of the State Senate Don Perata and Darrell Steinberg on issues affecting Indian Nations. She also served as Chief of Staff and Special Assistant to former California State Treasurer Bill Lockyer during his tenures as State Senator and Attorney General. Ms. Ortiz earned her Bachelor’s Degree with honors and teaching credentials from the University of California at Berkeley and her Juris Doctor from John F. Kennedy College of Law. She has served on the Transbay Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors and currently serves on the Alameda County Transportation Commission. Ms. Ortiz was President of the AC Transit Board of Directors in 2011, 2012, 2017 and 2018, and during her tenure on the Board spearheaded the development and adoption of the District’s Buy American Goods policy, advocated for fiscal reform, and works to make sure buses are a key element in the construction of a Bay Area transportation network for the 21st Century. She remains committed to providing the best service possible to riders.
Representing:
Ward 3
Term Expires:
December 2022
Email:
Phone:
Fax:
(510) 891-4705
Statement of Economic Interests - Form 700:
Joel B Young
Joel B. Young
Vice President
Joel Young, an East Bay attorney, was appointed by the AC Transit Board of Directors in February 2009 to fill one of the District’s two At Large positions, he was elected by the voters in 2010 and re-elected to serve another term in 2014. Prior to this leadership role, he worked on two local campaigns and practiced securities law. Director Young earned his Bachelors Degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his Juris Doctor from the U.C. Berkeley School of Law.
Representing:
District At-Large
Term Expires:
December 2022
Email:
Phone:
Fax:
(510) 891-4705
Statement of Economic Interests - Form 700:
Board of Directors, Ward 4
Mark Williams
Director
Mark Williams was first elected to the AC Transit Board of Directors in November 2010 to represent Ward 4 and was re-elected in 2014 and 2018. Mr. Williams is a life-long user of public transit and is particularly interested in addressing global warming, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, supporting the local economy, and the AC Transit Board’s “Buy America” policy. In his role as a Director, Mr. Williams is the former chair of the AC Transit Board External Affairs Committee and has previously served on AC Transit’s Bus Rapid Transit Policy Steering Committee, the City of San Leandro’s Redevelopment Successor Agency Oversight Board, the American Public Transportation Association’s Transit Board Members Committee and the Transit Board Members Legislative Subcommittee. Prior to his election to the AC Transit Board of Directors, Mr. Williams was appointed to serve as a member of the AC Transit Accessibility Advisory Committee and served as Vice Chair of the Committee in 2010. Director Williams is the youngest official ever elected to the District’s Board of Directors, is an active member of the National Young Elected Officials Network and works as Communications Coordinator for the Alameda County Assessor’s Office. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Social Science.
Representing:
Ward 4
Term Expires:
December 2022
Email:
Phone:
Fax:
(510) 891-4705
Statement of Economic Interests - Form 700:
Director Diane Shaw
Diane Shaw
Director
Diane Shaw, a retired Information Technology Manager for the San Mateo County Transit District, was elected to the AC Transit Board of Directors in November 2018 to represent Ward 5. Director Shaw is a life-long user of public transit, regularly riding the Dumbarton Express bus from Fremont/Newark to San Carlos. She is a member of the American Public Transportation Association and the Fremont Mobility Task Force. In her spare time, Ms. Shaw volunteers her time, energy and expertise to many organizations serving her local community, including the Fremont Elks Lodge #2121 and the Fremont Family Resource Center Corporation Board of Directors and Citizens Advisory Group among others. She is also active in Life ElderCare’s Friendly Visitor Program which provides companionship to seniors through weekly visits, phone calls and outings. Ms. Shaw received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and Computer Science from Minnesota State University, Mankato and brings to her new role on the Board a wealth of knowledge in the transportation field and public service.
Representing:
Ward 5
Term Expires:
December 2022
Email:
Phone:
Fax:
(510) 891-4705
Statement of Economic Interests - Form 700:
H. E. Chritian Peeples
H E. Christian Peeples
Director
H. E. Christian Peeples was appointed by the AC Transit Board of Directors in November 1997 to fill one of the District’s two At Large positions and was elected in 1998 and re-elected in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012. Director Peeples, a long time advocate for public transit, and AC Transit bus service in particular, has been actively involved in the AC Bus Riders Union, Alliance for AC Transit, Regional Alliance for Transit, Alliance for Sensible Transit, Coalition for A One Stop Terminal, and many other transit groups. He is also active in local community affairs, having served on the Oakland Ethics Commission and community and political bodies. In addition, he is active in the meetings of the Transportation Research Board (“TRB”), the branch of the National Academies involved in transportation research, and the American Public Transportation Association (“APTA”), transit’s national association. He is a strong supporter of AC Transit’s zero emission fuel cell bus program. Director Peeples is a graduate of Crown College, University of California at Santa Cruz and Hastings College of the Law.
Representing:
District At-Large
Term Expires:
December 2024
Email:
Phone:
Fax:
(510) 891-4705
Statement of Economic Interests - Form 700:
Jovanka Beckles, Board of Directors, Ward 1
Jovanka Beckles
Director
Jovanka Beckles was elected in November 2020 to serve on the AC Transit Board of Directors representing the Cities of Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond, San Pablo and a portion of Berkeley as well as the unincorporated areas of El Sobrante, Kensington and North Richmond. Ms. Beckles graduated cum laude in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida A&M University and earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix. Over the course of her career, Ms. Beckles has worked as a counselor, youth educator, team builder and strategist, client advocate, crime prevention specialist, housing case manager for the homeless, and mental health specialist for 32 years and has been a small business owner in the City of Richmond.  She also served her community as a two-term member of the Richmond City Council, was President of the Richmond Heights Neighborhood Council and retains membership in numerous organizations, including Concilio Latino and the League of United Latin American Citizens, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA-Richmond), Women in Politics, East Bay DSA and the Richmond Progressive Alliance. With a long record of public service, Ms. Beckles is committed to working with riders and workers to build a universally accessible, emission free transit system that the public deserves.
Representing:
Ward 1
Term Expires:
December 2024
Email:
Phone:
Fax:
(510) 891-4705
Statement of Economic Interests - Form 700:
Walsh v2.0 120x170 72dpi
Jean Walsh
Director
Jean Walsh was elected in 2020 to serve Ward 2. Previously she directed community outreach and government relations for bike and scooter share, expanding mobility options in the Bay Area and signing up more than 500 low income residents to discounted pricing programs. Prior to that, Ms. Walsh led communications and public outreach for the City of San Francisco’s Department of the Environment and Public Utilities Commission, promoting environmental initiatives and critical infrastructure programs. Ms. Walsh holds a master's degree in Urban Planning from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She served in the Peace Corps in Nicaragua and is fluent in Spanish. Ms. Walsh is active with the Transbay Coalition, East Bay Transit Riders Union, Bike East Bay, Walk Oakland Bike Oakland, and other grassroots advocacy groups working to improve Bay Area transportation. She is president of the Longfellow Community Association. Car-free since 2004, Ms. Walsh enjoys getting around on foot, bike, scooter, and public transit. She believes Bay Area residents deserve a seamless transportation network that is fast, frequent, affordable, pleasant, and easy to use.
Representing:
Ward 2
Term Expires:
December 2024
Email:
Phone:
Fax:
(510) 891-4705
Statement of Economic Interests - Form 700: