Ontario Councilmember Alan Wapner takes the helm of the Omnitrans Board of Directors effective July 1. Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Pro Tem Sam Spagnolo was elected to vice chair at the June 5 Board meeting. Both will serve a two-year term.
Wapner succeeds Board Chair Dick Riddell, a Yucaipa Councilmember. The 20-member Omnitrans Board consists of the County Board of Supervisors and elected officials representing the 15 cities Omnitrans serves.
Wapner has served as an Omnitrans board member or zlternate since May 2000. He was appointed chair of the administrative and finance committee in July 2010. Wapner has been on the Ontario City Council for over 18 years. He is known in the region as an expert on transportation planning and has served on the League of California Cities and the National League of Cities, San Bernardino Associated Governments and numerous other regional boards. He is currently Ontario International Airport Authority president.
Spagnolo was appointed to board of directors in February 2011 and served on the plans and programs committee. First elected to the Rancho Cucamonga City Council in 2004, he also serves on the League of California Cities Employee Relations Policy Committee, as chair of the Inland Empire Task Force, and vice chair of the Foothill Freeway Corridor Design Authority.
"I look forward to guiding the Board as we strive to ensure that Omnitrans continues to operate effectively and efficiently within a financially constrained environment." said Wapner. "The people of the San Bernardino Valley desire and deserve a quality public transportation network, including new service like the sbX line, to improve regional mobility."
