Metrolink Board of Directors Names New Chair, Leadership

Metrolink Board of Directors Names New Chair, Leadership

SEARCH METROLINK NEWS

SEARCH METROLINK NEWS

LOS ANGELES - Metrolink, Southern California's regional passenger rail service, today announced Orange County Fourth District Supervisor Doug Chaffee has been elected the agency's next board chair. Chaffee, who currently serves as the body's vice chair, was unanimously elected by his peers at Metrolink's Dec. 13 board of directors meeting and will begin a two-year term on Jan. 1, 2025.

Chair-Elect Chaffee will replace the outgoing chair, City of Highland Mayor Pro Tem Larry McCallon, who has been in the role since Jan. 1, 2023. McCallon will remain on the board as a director representing the San Bernardino County Transportation Association (SBCTA).

"I want to thank outgoing Chair McCallon for his steadfast stewardship and service to the Metrolink Board of Directors," Chaffee said. "As chair, I look forward to supporting Metrolink's ongoing operational evolution, further advancing ridership recovery efforts and delivering the best possible experience for our customers. There are exciting things ahead for Southern California, and Metrolink will play a pivotal role. I'm honored to partner with my board colleagues to take on the challenges and opportunities of the future."

During McCallon's tenure as chair, Metrolink implemented key service-model enhancements as part of a multi-phased transformation from a traditional commuter railroad to a true regional passenger rail system, significantly increasing mobility and connectivity across the agency's six-county service area. Following an unprecedented drop in ridership in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, recovery accelerated under McCallon's leadership. Total monthly ridership in November 2024, the most recent month for which data is available, was up 61% from January 2023 when McCallon assumed the role. Last month, the board also approved the largest contract award in Metrolink's history, which will streamline train operation and maintenance when it takes effect in July 2025.

"It's been a privilege to serve as Metrolink chair for the past two years," McCallon said. "Working alongside my fellow board directors and the talented Metrolink staff to expand regional mobility in Southern California has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. Beyond setting multiple post-pandemic ridership records, I was extremely proud to welcome the first-in-nation zero-emission multiple unit or 'ZEMU' to San Bernardino County earlier this year for testing and eventual inclusion in Metrolink's Arrow fleet. I know the agency will continue to make great strides under Chair-Elect Chaffee's leadership."

Also during today's meeting, City of Jurupa Valley Mayor Pro Tem Brian Berkson was elected as the board's vice chair, while City of Camarillo Mayor Tony Trembley was elected second vice chair. Berkson and Trembley represent the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) and Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC), respectively.

All officers serve two-year terms as part of an established intercounty rotation.

"I'm grateful to Chair McCallon for his steady leadership and tireless dedication to improving not just Metrolink, but the broader transportation ecosystem that connects our region," Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle said. "We are pleased that he will continue to serve on the Metrolink Board of Directors beyond the completion of his term as chair.

"I also want to congratulate Chair-Elect Chaffee, as well as incoming Vice Chair Berkson and Second Vice Chair Trembley, on their appointments. I look forward to working with this new leadership group and our incredible board of directors as we strive to meet Southern California's evolving transportation needs and prepare to host millions of international visitors for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games."

About Chair-Elect Doug Chaffee

In 2018 and again in 2022, Chaffee was elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors, representing the Fourth District, which includes the Cities of Brea, Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, Placentia, Stanton, portions of Anaheim and unincorporated communities. He currently serves as the body's vice chair. From 2012-18, Chaffee was a member of the Fullerton City Council where his top priorities included addressing homelessness, open space and affordable housing. He held the roles of City of Fullerton mayor pro tem in 2017 and mayor in 2018. He has been a Metrolink board director since 2019.

About Incoming First Vice Chair Brian Berkson

Berkson was elected to the Jurupa Valley City Council in 2014 and has worked to revitalize Jurupa Valley through job creation and safety initiatives. He serves as an alternate board member for the RCTC, Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) and Western Riverside Council of Governments. Beyond his work as an elected official, Berkson has run his own water conservation business since 1988 and has been a project manager for the real estate firm Far West Industries since 2003. He has been a member of the Metrolink board since 2017.

About Incoming Second Vice Chair Tony Trembley

Trembley currently serves as mayor of the City of Camarillo and was previously mayor in 2020. He was elected at large to the Camarillo City Council in 2016 to represent District 4 and has retained the position through the 2020 and 2024 election cycles. In addition to his council assignments, Trembley is one of 19 commissioners that comprise the VCTC and served as chair in 2022. He retired from practicing law in 2021, having specialized in special districts and joint powers authorities, with an emphasis on water, wastewater and environmental issues. He joined the Metrolink board in 2019.

MORE NEWS opens in new window