Lee Ann Eager, a strong advocate for high-speed rail and president/CEO of the Fresno County Economic Development Corp. since 2009, is the new chair of the California Transportation Commission.
Eager was elected chair during a commission meeting held via webinar on Wednesday. Carl Guardino, who is an executive vice president for San Jose-based Bloom Energy, was elected vice chair. Eager and Guardino move into their respective posts on March 1.
The 13-member commission is responsible for programming and allocating funds for the construction of highways, passenger rail, transit, and active transportation improvements in the state.
The commission also advises and assists the secretary of the California State Transportation Agency and the Legislature in making and evaluating state policies and plans for transportation programs.
Eager, who was appointed to the commission by Gov. Gavin Newsom in June 2020, succeeds Hilary Norton as the chair.
