Community Relations Specialist Steps into New Position
ORANGE – Andrea West has been named the new local government relations representative for the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA).
For more than two years, West has been in the role of community relations specialist working on public outreach programs. In her new position, she will serve as a liaison between OCTA and the cities of Orange County to keep them informed and seek their input on OCTA’s projects, programs and services. She will also coordinate presentations and updates to city councils and work on projects such as the 55-Access Study, which is exploring possible transportation improvements on the Costa Mesa (SR-55) freeway.
“I am looking forward to bringing the skills I have acquired during my years at OCTA to this new role,” West said. “OCTA does many great things for the people of Orange County and I’m excited to work with the local government relations team.”
A resident of Placentia, West began her career in transportation with an internship at OCTA in 2003. She later went to work for the county of Orange specializing in media relations in the county CEO’s office. She returned to OCTA in September 2005 as the associate community relations specialist and was promoted to community relations specialist in 2006. West is a member of the Public Relations Society of America, the Orange County Public Affairs Association and the Women’s Transportation Seminar.
“Andrea will play a key role in keeping information flowing to and from city officials,” said Dave Simpson, manager of Local Government Relations at OCTA. “Her experience in transportation and local government will be a great addition to our team.”
