Changes in Leadership at Gold Coast Transit District

Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD), Ventura County’s largest provider of public transit, has announced several changes in its Board of Directors and senior management team.

Jim Hensley

The City of Port Hueneme has appointed Councilmember Jim Hensley and the City  of Ventura has appointed Councilmember Cheryl Heitmann to the Gold Coast Transit District Board of Directors. Mr. Hensley replaces Councilmember Doug Breeze, who is no longer on the Port Hueneme City Council. Ms. Heitmann replaces Ventura’s Councilmember Carl Morehouse who decided to forgo running for reelection last year after serving 18 years on the Ventura City Council and 5 years on the GCTD Board of Directors.

Cheryl Heitmann

“We are thankful for the input and perspective our outgoing Directors have given us over the years. With several major projects on the horizon, including construction of our new facility, we look forward to engaging and working closely with our entire Board to address the opportunities GCTD will face this year,” commented Steve Brown, Gold Coast Transit  District’s General Manager.

Councilmember’s Hensley and Heitmann, join continuing Board Directors County Supervisor John Zaragoza, City of Ojai Councilmember Paul Blatz, and City of Oxnard Councilmember Bryan MacDonald. The five-member Board of Directors represent nearly 4 million annual passengers who utilize GCTD’s fixed route and paratransit services in the cities of Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Ventura and the County of Ventura.

Rob Lurie

Additionally, Reed Caldwell, Director of Engineering and Construction, is taking on the additional responsibility of overseeing fleet and facility maintenance, following the retirement of Rob Lurie, GCTD’s long-time Director of Fleet and Facilities. In this role, Caldwell will be responsible for oversight of construction and operation of the District’s new Administration and Operations Facility, as well as oversight of the District’s fleet of 56 full size buses and 26 paratransit vehicles. A recruitment of a Fleet Manager will be conducted to assist Mr. Caldwell in the oversight of the District’s vehicles. Caldwell joined GCTD in 2014 as Facility Project Manager and has 16 years in the transit industry. Mr. Caldwell previously worked as Deputy Executive Director at North County Transit District in Oceanside, California, and at the City of Phoenix, Arizona as the Deputy Public Transit Director.

“Building the new facility is critically needed in order for transit services in Ventura County to be expanded and sustained into the future,” stated General Manager Steve Brown. “I am confident that with Reed’s experience and leadership skills we will have a successful transition to the new facility.”

About the District: Gold Coast Transit District provides safe, responsive, convenient, efficient, and environmentally responsible fixed-route bus and paratransit public transportation that serves the diverse needs of the cities of Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Ventura, and in the unincorporated County areas between the cities. Utilizing a fleet of 56 clean natural gas- fueled buses, and 26 paratransit buses and vans, GCTD carries nearly 4 million passengers annually on its 20 bus routes. GCTD is the largest provider of public transit in Ventura County and is governed by a Board of Directors made up of an elected official from each member jurisdiction. For more information or to plan your trip, visit www.GoldCoastTransit.org.