OCTA’s Transit G.M. receives outstanding transportation executive leadership award

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 25, 2016

OCTA’s Transit General Manager Honored at COMTO’s First Women Leaders Awards Ceremony

Beth McCormick, of Mission Viejo, receives Outstanding Transportation Executive Leadership Award

ORANGE – The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) this week honored OCTA’s Beth McCormick with the Outstanding Transportation Executive Leadership Award at the group’s inaugural Women Leaders of Southern California Transportation Awards ceremony.

McCormick, a Mission Viejo resident, is the General Manager of the Orange County Transportation Authority’s Transit division, the largest division at OCTA with five operating bases and almost 800 vehicles.

McCormick has worked at OCTA since 1993 and has more than 30 years of transportation experience.

As general manager, McCormick is responsible for the management, operation and maintenance of all bus services, including ACCESS and fixed-route programs. She also oversees maintenance of facilities and partnerships with other agencies that help provide specialized transportation services.

While accepting the award, McCormick shared her gratitude for the mentoring she received, which led to her participation in COMTO. Now McCormick is mentoring young people and women in the transportation industry as her way of giving back.

“The COMTO organization is dedicated to promoting diversity in the transportation industry and helping individuals realize their full potential through a variety of mentoring opportunities. These are the goals I have worked hard to support during my career,” said McCormick, whose transportation experience includes helping to start Metrolink service in Orange County and the development of a paratransit program.

“Mentoring gives you an opportunity to have that one-on-one time with people who are exactly where I was 30 years ago,” McCormick added. “I am honored to be recognized by COMTO as a leader in this area.”

McCormick was among six women honored at the March 22 ceremony in Long Beach.

“The common thread that binds this year’s awardees is a demonstrated commitment to advancing and strengthening our nation’s transportation infrastructure across their diverse areas of influence and affiliations,” said Gwendolen Gray, COMTO’s Southern California Regional president. “We are proud to host an event recognizing these amazing women, and we are thankful for all they’ve done and all they continue to do.”

With more than 1,700 members, COMTO’s mission is to ensure a level playing field for minority individuals and businesses in the transportation industry through advocacy and information sharing.

In observance of Women’s History Month, COMTO held its inaugural Women Leaders award ceremony to honor women leaders in Southern California whose public service contributions have significantly impacted the transportation industry in communities throughout Southern California.

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Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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