KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Laura Chace was named President and CEO of ITS America in August, 2021. Previously, she served as the association’s Chief Operating Officer. Her focus is to promote policies that advance the development and safe deployment of intelligent transportation technologies throughout the United States to save lives and reduce crashes on U.S. roadways, reduce congestion, minimize transportation’s carbon footprint, and provide seamless mobility and transportation choices for all Americans. 

Chace has extensive experience in strategic planning, operations, communications and advocacy, and a proven track record of implementing complex initiatives with strong engagement and collaboration among stakeholders.

She is passionate and speaks often about the need to include more female and diverse voices in the transportation workforce to create better outcomes for all who use the transportation system. Chace has led industry initiatives focused on bringing more women into the transportation industry and continues to work towards growing equity in the industry and our transportation networks.

Across the industry, Chace is seen as a leader on transportation technology and innovation. She has been chosen by the U.S. Department of Transportation to serve as an advisor on the Transforming Transportation Advisory Committee to help the Department navigate how to safely and responsibly incorporate advanced technology into our transportation system to support mobility needs now and in the future. She also serves as a member of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation’s Electric Vehicle Working Group to provide recommendations on how to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. Additionally, Chace also serves on the advisory board of the Accelerator for America’s Innovative Infrastructure Initiative (i3).

In addition to being an effective and results-oriented legislator, Assemblywoman Wilson’s tenure in the Assembly has also resulted in multiple historic moments. First, Assemblywoman Wilson is the only Black woman in California history to be appointed Chair of the influential Assembly Transportation Committee. Dating back to 1954, the Transportation Committee oversees California’s transportation infrastructure, networks and state agencies tasked with delivering California a safe and efficient transportation system.

Secretary. Toks Omishakin was appointed the 4th Secretary of Transportation for the state of California by Governor Gavin Newsom in February of 2022.

Tony Tavares was appointed the 34th Director of the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) by Governor Gavin Newsom and sworn in June 2022. Director Tavares manages a nearly $20 billion budget and more than 22,000 employees who oversee 50,000 lane miles of highway, maintain approximately 20,000 bridges, provide permitting of more than 400 public-use airports, fund three of Amtrak’s busiest intercity rail services and provide transit support to more than 200 local and regional transit agencies.