WTS Orange County chapter gives honors to two OCTA women, West County Connectors
ORANGE – Two Orange County Transportation Authority employees were recognized for their outstanding work as leaders in the transportation industry during the WTS Orange County’s 25th annual Scholarships and Awards Gala.
OCTA’s West County Connectors project also received an award for its innovative approach to transportation and increasing mobility in Orange County.
The individual awards went to:
- Fountain Valley resident Jennifer Bergener, OCTA’s Director of Rail Programs & Facilities Engineering, was honored as WTS Orange County’s 2013 Woman of the Year. She was selected because her career achievements have advanced the reputation and credibility of women in the transportation industry.
Bergener oversees the development and implementation of OCTA’s $3 billion program of complex public transit capital and operating projects. In presenting the award, OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson said, “Jennifer has been an exemplary manager, a true transit professional, and I have watched her grow as a leader to be one of the most well-respected experts in our region.”
- Anaheim resident Jeannie Lee, OCTA’s project manager of Capital Programs, was selected as WTS Orange County’s 2013 Member of the Year. She received the honor for her extraordinary commitment to the goals of WTS Orange County.
Lee is a former WTS Orange County scholarship winner and has served with the organization since 2006. The award’s presenter said: “Jeannie has shown a dedication and passion for WTS that far exceeds her tasks as a chapter member and board member.”
The West County Connectors project was honored with the WTS Orange County 2013 Innovative Transportation Solutions Award. The $277 million project will improve traffic flow by linking carpool lanes on I-405 with those on SR-22 and I-605, creating a seamless carpool connection on the three freeways. The six-mile project, which traverses Garden Grove, Westminster, Seal Beach, Los Alamitos, Long Beach and Rossmoor, is set for completion in late 2014.
WTS Orange County is the local chapter of the national WTS (Women’s Transportation Seminar), which has a membership of more than 4,000 transportation professionals committed to fostering development of the careers of its members through the open exchange of ideas and experiences. Part of that development is recognizing women in the industry doing outstanding work in transportation.
The event also honored 10 young women with $57,000 in scholarships.
OCTA’s Johnson served as emcee of the awards ceremony held Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach.
“We are so proud of the work being done by Jennifer, Jeannie and the staff leading the West County Connectors project,” Johnson said. “It’s an honor to see them recognized for all their efforts to improve our transportation system throughout the county.”
