ASLRRA
ASLRRA recently announced via X that it has appointed Lauren Schlechte to serve as the new Manager, Meetings. Schlechte, who will help with planning and executing ASLRRA events, brings more than a decade of experience in event management and is a valuable addition to the Association, ASLRRA stated in the post.
LOSSAN
The LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency, which manages the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train, announced Feb. 20 that its Board of Directors has unanimously selected City of Fullerton Mayor Fred Jung to serve as Chair and City of Paso Robles Councilmember Fred Strong to serve as Vice Chair of the agency.
Jung currently serves as the Mayor of Fullerton and is a member of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors. He was first elected to the Fullerton City Council representing District 1 in November 2020 and was appointed Mayor in 2021. Mayor Jung was reelected to his second four-year term in November 2024. The OCTA appointed Jung as a member to the LOSSAN Board of Directors in January 2023. He previously served as Vice Chair of the agency.
“I’m honored to take on the role of chair for the LOSSAN Agency,” said Jung. “I will be dedicated to collaborating with agency staff, fellow board members, and stakeholders to restoring and enhancing the Pacific Surfliner service and strengthening the resiliency of the rail infrastructure across the entire LOSSAN Rail Corridor.”
“We are very pleased to welcome Director Jung and Director Strong as our new chair and vice chair for 2025,” said LOSSAN Managing Director Jason Jewell. “Their extensive experience and leadership serving the LOSSAN Agency will be invaluable as we work to increase ridership and expand intercity rail travel in Southern California.”
A strong advocate for transportation initiatives at all levels of government for more than 35 years, Strong has served in numerous civic roles and board positions, including the City of Paso Robles City Council, San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority, National Association of Regional Councils, National League of Cities, California Association of Councils of Governments and League of California Cities since 2004. He represents the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments on the LOSSAN Board of Directors.
The LOSSAN Agency is governed by an 11-member Board composed of officials representing rail owners, operators, and planning agencies along the LOSSAN Rail Corridor between San Diego and San Luis Obispo.
Port of Oakland
The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners on Feb. 14 named Kristi McKenney as Executive Director. The appointment follows the announcement of Executive Director Danny Wan’s retirement on Feb. 28.
The Port Commissioners unanimously approved a three-year contract for McKenney at their Feb. 13 Board meeting.
“I’m grateful and excited for this opportunity to lead during such a transformative time in Port history,” said McKenney. “I look forward to implementing the Port’s 5-year Strategic Plan that will help grow local employment and contracting opportunities and strengthen our economic base.”
McKenney joined the Port as an Environmental Planner. She has held several positions at the Port, from Assistant Aviation Director to Interim Executive Director. She has been the Port’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) since February 2020. McKenney will be the first woman to serve as Executive Director in the Port of Oakland’s 98-year history.
“We look forward to Ms. McKenney taking the Port’s vision to the next level,” said Port of Oakland Board President Michael Colbruno. “Special thanks to Danny Wan for leaving the Port on a strong and solid path.”
According to the Port, McKenney was “instrumental” in managing Port operations during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. During her tenure as COO, she helped bring hundreds of millions of dollars in state and federal grants to create a more sustainable Port.
“As a Port veteran, Kristi McKenney will bring solid leadership and management skills to the position,” said Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan. “She will also bring continuity and stability to Port operations which are essential to helping us build for the next generation.”
McKenney holds a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics from San Jose State University.
