Clarissa Reyes Falcon has been elected Chair of the California Transportation Commission, with Joseph Cruz serving as Vice Chair, which the Commission announced at its January meeting.
Their terms take effect March 1. Falcon becomes the first person of Asian-American and Pacific Islander heritage to lead the Commission and the first chair from the San Diego region since 2008.
Falcon, a seasoned government and public relations professional, has more than 30 years of experience across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. She served 14 years in the State Assembly and State Senate before founding Falcon Strategies in 2010, a firm focused on strategic communications, project and issue advocacy, coalition building, and public policy analysis.
“I am grateful to my colleagues for the opportunity to serve as chair,” Falcon said. “We have made significant strides in creating an equitable and resilient transportation system, but there is more work to do. I look forward to building partnerships with Gov. Newsom, the legislature, Caltrans, and local stakeholders to accelerate projects that will define California’s future.”
Vice Chair Cruz expressed similar enthusiasm, emphasizing the Commission’s role in supporting workers and the economy.
“Together with my colleagues, we will continue to deliver results for all Californians,” he said.
Falcon has been actively involved in San Diego County communities, serving on boards including the South Bay Family YMCA, Sweetwater Union High School Cares Foundation, Circulate San Diego, and the UCSD Chancellor’s Community Advisory Board. She is also a founding member of the San Diego Leadership Alliance and recognized by former Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins and former State Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez as a Woman of the Year.
Falcon was first appointed to the Commission in September 2021 and reappointed in January 2024. Her leadership is expected to bring a strong local perspective and decades of experience in government and community engagement to the Commission’s work in shaping California’s transportation future.
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