IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the members of the National Freight Advisory Committee, including several Southern California leaders. Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal, Port of Hueneme Executive Director Kristin Decas, California Transportation Commissioner Fran Inman and University of Southern California (USC) Professor Genevieve Giuliano, Ph.D. were appointed to serve on this important committee which will provide recommendations to the Secretary on improving the national freight transportation system.
"On behalf of Mobility 21, congratulations to Southern California's outstanding representatives chosen to serve on the National Freight Advisory Committee," said Anne Mayer, Mobility 21 Chairwoman and Executive Director of the Riverside County Transportation Commission. "Mobility 21 Advisory Board Members Kristin Decas and Fran Inman, together with Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal and Genevieve Giuliano of USC, will be important voices for our region in helping shape policies for our nation's freight transportation system. Given Southern California's vital role in our country's freight network, we're grateful to have representation on the committee."
Freight operations and trade emanating from Southern California’s transportation network play an important role in the entire nation’s economy. Much of the cargo that enters through Southern California’s ports leaves the region and makes its way to every single congressional district in the country, creating jobs, income and tax revenue in all 50 states.
“I believe that an efficient transportation infrastructure will be at the core of our future success and clearly moving freight effectively plays an important role,” said Inman. “I am excited to participate as a member of the National Freight Advisory Committee and hope that my understanding of the marketplace will be beneficial.”
Assemblymember Lowenthal serves as Chair of the California Assembly Transportation Committee and represents the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in her district, the busiest seaports in the nation. As Executive Director of the Port of Hueneme in Ventura County, Decas leads the port's operations in transporting over $7 billion in cargo and supporting an economic impact of $1 billion. Inman, Senior Vice President of Majestic Realty and California Transportation Commissioner, has demonstrated regional leadership and a commitment to improving the nation’s trade gateways throughout her career by serving on numerous statewide and regional goods movement committees. As a professor at USC, Dr. Giuliano’s research includes studying the relationship between land use and transportation, as well as the analysis of regulatory policies aimed at reducing impacts of freight in metropolitan areas.
“I look at it as a privilege and honor to serve in this capacity and represent the transportation community and the needs of the maritime community,” said Decas.
Visit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s website to view the full list of committee members: http://1.usa.gov/14euVrf
Mobility 21 is a nonprofit, nonpartisan and multimodal transportation advocacy coalition that brings together business, community leaders and transportation providers to support increased investment in transportation throughout Southern California. The coalition annually hosts the largest one-day transportation conference in California. The Summit, "Connecting the Dots: Linking Infrastructure, Education & Healthcare," will be held this year on Oct. 29 at the JW Marriott at L.A. Live and will include a focus on freight movement.
