Suzanne Smith
Suzanne Smith
Executive Director
Suzanne Smith has been the Executive Director since 1997. She reports to the Board of Directors and manages the two countywide agencies and a staff of fourteen. Suzanne has overall responsibilities for securing and coordinating regional, state and federal funding for projects and programs related to transportation and climate change; managing the Measure M sales tax; overseeing long range planning related to transportation, housing, jobs, and climate change; and collaborating with partner agencies and the public on policy priorities.
Prior to joining the SCTA, Suzanne was the District Director for State Assembly Member Valerie Brown. In that capacity, she focused on such policy issues as transportation, education, and local government. Suzanne received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California at San Diego. While at UCSD she also studied urban planning. Suzanne received her Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco.
James Cameron
James Cameron
Chief Deputy Executive Director
James Cameron, Chief Deputy Executive Director, is responsible the administrative, accounting and finance functions. He coordinates all issues related to project development and delivery, fund programming functions, and management of funding in the Go Sonoma Transportation Sales Tax Strategic Plan. The position requires collaboration between local jurisdictions, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), Caltrans and multiple consultants. The Chief Deputy works closely with the Director of Planning on planning, project development and public information efforts.
Mr. Cameron joined the Authority in March 2012 as the Deputy Director of Projects and Programming. He is a licensed Civil Engineer and Land Surveyor in the State of California with over 20 years of experience working on capital projects in all phases of development including programming, environmental, design and construction. Prior to joining the Authority, he served as a Supervising Engineer for the City of Santa Rosa in their Capital Improvements Program and a Resident Engineer for the California Department of Transportation Division of Construction. Mr. Cameron received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from California State University Chico.
Tanya Narath
Tanya Narath
Director of Climate Programs
Tanya Narath is the Interim Director of Climate Programs at RCPA. She is also responsible for providing data modeling, analysis and mapping support for SCTA and RCPA projects. She manages the RCPA’s greenhouse gas inventory and reporting, including tracking of progress toward meeting the goals and objectives of Climate Action 2020.
Tanya has over 20 years of leadership and management experience in the fields of technology, sustainability, and community engagement. Prior to joining the SCTA/RCPA in September 2018, she held leadership positions in information technology with the County of Sonoma Department of Health Services, Agilent Technologies, and Hewlett Packard. She was the Executive Director and CEO of the Leadership Institute for Ecology and the Economy from 2005 through 2015. Tanya has a Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree, certificate in geographic information systems for urban and regional planners, MBA, and bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
Chris Barney
Chris Barney
Senior, Transportation Planner
Chris Barney is a Senior Transportation Planner at SCTA responsible for travel demand modeling, forecasting, data development and analysis, cartography, and geographic information systems. Chris manages and maintains the Sonoma County Travel Model and works with local and regional planners to estimate current and future transportation needs and impacts.
Chris worked for various local and state agencies focused on public works, asset management, transit planning and engineering, urban planning, technology, and public health before joining the SCTA in 2005. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from Arizona State University and his Master of Science degree in Geography from the University of Utah. His studies focused on quantitative methods, land use and transportation modeling, and geographic information systems.
Seana L. S. Gause
Seana L. S. Gause
Senior, Programming and Projects
Seana L. S. Gause is a Senior over Programming and Projects. She has been with the SCTA since 2005. Her work entails managing the projects and programs associated with transportation funding from federal, state and local sources. Her responsibilities include management of project development for Measure M (Traffic Relief Act for Sonoma County), programming funds from various federal and state sources for Sonoma County jurisdictions, and liaising with the state and regional agencies for transportation.
Prior to working for SCTA, Seana worked for the California Department of Transportation as an Archaeologist and Environmental Planner for 7 years. She was responsible for co-authoring the environmental document for the widening of Highway 101 from Highway 12 to Steele Lane, which she then worked to see to completion after joining the SCTA. Seana was an archaeologist for 10 years prior to working for Caltrans. In her spare time, Seana enjoys rowing crew competitively, along with her husband and two sons who also row.
David Ripperda
David Ripperda
Assistant Director of Projects and Programming
David Ripperda is Assistant Director of Projects and Programming and joined SCTA in October 2021. He is responsible for managing contracts, funding programs and financial models; reviewing plans and documents, performing project management in support of SCTA/RCPA projects, and coordinating with state, regional, and local partners.
Mr. Ripperda has 8 years of experience working on capital projects in all phases of development including programming, environmental, design and construction. Prior to joining to joining SCTA, Mr. Ripperda served as Manager of Capital Programs for the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) and as an Associate Planner for the San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG). At SJRRC he was responsible for administering and delivering the $1.3 billion Valley Rail Program to extend ACE service to Sacramento and Merced. At SJCOG he was responsible for state, federal, and local programming and serving as Project Manager on projects such as the State Route 99/120 Connector, I-205 Managed Lanes, and the State Route 99/Turner Road Interchange. Mr. Ripperda received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from California State University Sacramento.
Dana Turrey
Dana Turrey
Senior, Transportation Planner
Dana Turréy is a Transportation Planner responsible for managing transportation funding programs and countywide planning for alternative transportation modes (bike, walk, transit, paratransit). Dana staffs the Transit Technical Advisory Committee (T-TAC), Countywide Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (CBPAC), and the Transit/Paratransit Coordinating Committee (TPCC).
Prior to joining SCTA in July 2014, Dana worked in the private and public sectors on planning, environmental review, and public outreach for transportation, infrastructure, and land use projects. Dana has a Master of Urban Planning degree and a Bachelor of Sociology degree.
Katherine Stubbs
Katherine Stubbs
Transportation Planner – Program Coordinator
Katherine Stubbs is a Transportation Planner – Program Coordinator responsible for supporting multi-faceted transit coordination and integration projects as well as commute and mobility programs.
Prior to working with SCTA, Katherine worked to provide business support and increased access to capital to underrepresented early-stage entrepreneurs, including, but not limited to, women, people of color, and immigrants in Oakland and San Francisco.
Adam Garcia
Adam Garcia
Data Analyst – Transportation and Climate
Adam Garcia is the Data Analyst – Transportation and Climate for the Sonoma County Transportation Authority and the Regional Climate Protection Authority. Adam’s role is to support the SCTA/RCPA in multiple subject areas including data processing and analysis, forecasting and travel demand modeling, geographic information systems, demographic research and analysis, and assisting with transportation improvement and climate protection strategy implementation. Adam holds a bachelors of science in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara and a master of arts in Urban Planning from UC Los Angeles.
Marge Fernandez
Marge Fernandez
Department Analyst
Marge Fernandez, Department Analyst I is responsible for supporting SCTA/RCPA operations, programs and services with accounting, and contract management. She coordinates with the Auditor Controller Treasurer Tax Collector’s Office for accounting and auditing, as well as the Information Services Department to meet our technology needs. Under direction, Marge will develop, improve, and/or implement new or existing systems, procedures, and/or administrative services. Her expertise in database management is essential to her role here bringing technical administrative skills to the SCTA-RCPA.
Mrs. Fernandez joined the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) in September 2003. Marge has held various positions at the SCTA/RCPA as Executive Assistant, Administrative Assistant III, and presently as Department Analyst I. Prior to joining the SCTA, Marge worked for the National Scrip Center a non-profit agency in Database Management, and in Human Resources Administration for Agilent Technologies / Hewlett Packard, and the Clorox Company.
