Proterra announced that the Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG) has named Proterra CEO Ryan Popple as a board member. Expanding upon his role on SVLG's transportation committee, Popple will be focused on increasing access to affordable, sustainable transportation solutions throughout Silicon Valley and the Bay Area, through strategic partnerships and policy initiatives that keep pace with today's technology innovation. Some of the key initiatives Popple will support include the organization's Regional Transportation Initiative, the Caltrain Commuter Coalition (C3), BART's Phase 2 expansion to Silicon Valley, and establishing long-haul flights from San Jose International Airport.
Faced with a climbing population, Silicon Valley's urban ecosystems are being pressured to renovate their transportation networks to meet the needs of the masses. With the rise of electric vehicle technology, autonomous drive and on-demand mobility services, the U.S. is in the midst of a paradigm shift, and the Bay Area is at the epicenter of this transformation to ultra-efficient, affordable, multi-modal mobility. As a Silicon Valley-based public policy organization, SVLG represents nearly 400 companies on issues, programs and campaigns that affect the economic health and quality of life in Silicon Valley. As a board member, Popple will focus on strengthening Silicon Valley's transportation ecosystem, to improve how employees, residents and cargo move through the Valley while minimizing impact on the environment.
"Mobility solutions are being designed and deployed at a rapid pace here in Silicon Valley. It's our hope to leverage the local expertise and unique leadership the Bay Area has to offer," said Carl Guardino, president and CEO of SVLG. "It is our great honor to welcome Ryan Popple to the board as we strive to optimize transportation services for all in the Bay Area."
"Ryan Popple has demonstrated success in scaling high-tech and sustainable transportation systems over the years, and we are confident he will be a major asset for SVLG's initiatives," said Greg Becker, chairman of the SVLG Board and CEO of Silicon Valley Bank. "Looking into 2017 and beyond, Ryan will be instrumental in forging new partnerships and in supporting initiatives that streamline the mobility of our communities."
A longtime advocate of policy initiatives that address urban, environmental, and civic issues throughout California, Proterra has supported many policy measures that further transportation infrastructure and access, including the Bay Area's Proposition J, which allocated funds to increase homeless transportation services; Santa Clara County's Measure B, which allocated funds to reduce traffic, increase public transportation and improve roads and infrastructure resources; and Los Angeles' Measure M, which allocated funds to improve traffic congestion and air quality issues in the LA area.
"Proterra and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group are working together to address traffic congestion, air quality and accessibility issues associated with Bay Area transportation," said Popple, CEO of Proterra. "As a new board member and lifetime advocate of clean mobility technology, I'm looking forward to closer collaboration with the organization to confront these issues and to advance the region into a future defined by sustainable, affordable and efficient transportation."
