People on the move: NVTA, Transdev

The Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA) and Transdev have made new appointments to their respective leadership teams.    

NVTA appoints new executive director 

The NVTA Board has appointed Danielle Schmitz as the agency’s new executive director, effective July 1. Schmitz has served the agency since 2008 and will succeed longtime Executive Director Kate Miller, who will retire on June 30 after 13 years of leadership. 

“I am honored to have the confidence of the NVTA Board and the agency’s dedicated staff as I step into this leadership role, and I look forward to expanding on the good work already underway,” Schmitz said. “Kate Miller has been an incredible mentor to me, and with the support of our talented NVTA team, I am ready for the challenges and opportunities the position entails.” 

Schmitz has spent the majority of her career at NVTA, most recently serving as deputy executive director, where she played a key role in delivering major transportation projects such as the $56 million Soscol Junction Interchange, the $48 million Vine Transit Maintenance Facility and the $20 million Calistoga-to-St. Helena Napa Valley Vine Trail project. Her appointment comes as NVTA moves forward with important initiatives, including multimodal improvements on SR 29 in American Canyon and at Jameson/Airport and updating Napa’s Countywide Transportation Plan. 

“Danielle’s track record speaks for itself. Her commitment to the agency, her understanding of the community and her deep knowledge of transportation planning made her shine as a candidate,” said NVTA Board of Directors Chair Mark Joseph. “We look forward to what NVTA accomplishes under this fresh – yet familiar – leadership.” 

A graduate of Napa High School, Schmitz earned her bachelor of arts in Geography and Environmental Studies from UCLA before returning to Napa to join NVTA, initially working half time for the county, managing the Green Business and Winery Program, in addition to taking on planning responsibilities at NVTA. She has since held various leadership positions across the agency.  

Outside of her professional work, Schmitz has been a dedicated community leader. She served 11 years on the board of NEWS Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Services, including two years as board president, and currently sits on both the Napa Valley Vine Trail Board of Directors and the California Transit Association’s Federal Legislative Committee. 

Transdev names next senior vice president of transit operations for southwest region 

Transdev U.S. appointed Rich Rogers as senior vice president of transit operations for the southwest region. 

With a 40-year career in the public transit industry, Rogers brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the role. His journey in transportation began with an apprenticeship as a bus mechanic and steadily advanced into senior executive positions across both public transit agencies and private transportation companies. 

Most recently, Rogers served as executive vice president and COO at Parking Concepts, where he oversaw operations and strategic initiatives. Prior to that, he spent 18 years as COO of Transportation Concepts, a division of Parking Concepts, where he led management, operations and business development for public transit services. His responsibilities also included contract start-ups, operational performance, union negotiations and client engagement. 

Rogers’ extensive background also includes leadership roles at MV Transportation, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Laidlaw and DAVE Transportation, further underscoring his comprehensive understanding of transit operations and executive leadership. 

Rogers succeeds Doug Gies, who recently retired after a successful tenure leading the southwest region.