WTS-CenCal Monthly Membership Luncheon - September Edition 2024

Please join us for WTS-CenCal's September Luncheon!

This month, we will be featuring a panel discussion on the ambitious plans for transit-oriented development around the High-Speed Rail corridor in the Valley. Dan Leavitt will be moderating the discussion, and the panelist include Derek Winning, Jason Waters, Paul Herman, and Matt Treber. Additional infomation about each of these speakers and their professional backgorund is provided below.

Come enjoy good food, network with industry professionals, and learn more about how the High Speed Rail can increase connectivity in our communities.

Seating is limited. Register now!

Dan Leavitt is the Manager of Regional Initiatives for the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (Rail Commission) and the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA). Dan’s responsibilities include managing San Joaquins and ACE service expansion planning, network integration and connectivity studies, environmental studies, and agency coordination and advocacy efforts for the San Joaquins and ACE services. As an appointee by the Governor, Dan has served as a Board Member of the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley since 2015. He is a long-time supporter and user of public transportation and a life-long resident of California.

Derek Winning joined TCAG in 2015 and serves as the Principal over the Planning Department with an emphasis on Transit, Active Transportation, Goods Movement, and Electrification. He graduated with a degree in Economics from California State University Fresno and also served in the Marine Corps as an infantry squad leader. Prior to coming over to TCAG, he worked on many interesting transportation plans, programs, and travel demand modeling projects during his 13 year career in Madera County. He enjoys spending time with his family traveling, skateboarding, riding BMX bikes, and playing football with his two boys.

Jason Waters is the Deputy City Manager/Community Development Director for the City of Hanford. Jason has been with the City of Hanford for nearly 2 years and has worked in planning and community development in California's Central Valley for 19 years. A Visalia native, Jason and his family are proud to continue to call the Valley home. Outside of work, Jason enjoys traveling with his family and visiting US National Parks.

Paul Herman is a Principal Regional Planner with nearly a decade of experience in passenger rail, environmental, and regional transportation planning. Born and raised in Fresno, and a graduate of Fresno State University, Paul has a deep-rooted passion for his community and the San Joaquin Valley. Starting his career at Caltrans in the Bay Area’s District 4 office in 2015, Paul was a core staff member of the District 4 environmental planning team. He joined the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission in 2018, where he led the development of the San Joaquins Pulse Schedule which improved passenger rail connectivity throughout the San Joaquin Valley. During his time with the Rail Commission, Paul was also a key contributor in the initial planning efforts for the integrated High-Speed Rail/San Joaquins/ACE future service plan that will occur once the Merced-Fresno-Bakersfield Early Operating Segment becomes operational between 2030 and 2033. In 2023, Paul joined the Fresno Council of Governments where he will spreadhead the development of the 2026 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, as well as lead the special studies and planning program for Fresno COG.

Matt Treber graduated from Fresno State University with a degree in Geography while interning with the City of Clovis Planning Department and went to work at Madera County full-time shortly after graduating. Matt have served in every planning position with the Planning Division and most recently was appointed as the Chief of Development Services in 2020 overseeing the Community and Economic Development Department, Public Works Department and the Water and Natural Resources Department of Madera County. He has overseen the rapid growth and development of our Rio Mesa area encompassing more than 19,000 acres and 26,000 homes and 8 million square feet of commercial development in the southeastern part of Madera County.

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