Leadership '25 connects with key stakeholders that keep Oxnard on the move

​On March 21, Oxnard Leadership Program's 2025 cohort gathered for their third session, Transportation & Commerce Day, to better understand how each play a vital role in the city's economic growth. They met with leaders from the Ventura County Department of Airports, Gold Coast Transit District, Ventura County Transportation Commission, and The Collection at Riverpark. "It was fascinating seeing how each of the three institutions fit into the community, balancing relationships and constraints (government, financial, etc)," said one cohort member.

​The morning began at Oxnard Airport for a walk-and-talk tour with two leaders at the Ventura County Department of Airports Jannette Jauregui, Communications & Engagement Manager, and Casey Pullman, Deputy Director – Airports, Operations & Maintenance. They learned about the economic impact of the Oxnard and Camarillo airports, operational challenges, innovative growth opportunities, and why people are seeing more skydivers drifting over Oxnard. The tour included ascending the airport control tower, learning about emergency operations, and visiting Aspen Helicopters, which has two locations on the Oxnard Airport, one for its helicopter operations and a jet center for charters.

Next up was Gold Coast Transit District’s (GCTD) headquarters to discuss public transit with Ventura County Transportation Commission's (VCTC) Darrin Peschka (Program Manager, Government and Community Relations) and Gold Coast Transit District's Austin Novstrup (Planning Manager). Darrin highlighted VCTC's programs and services, including bus routes throughout the county and up to Santa Barbara, transportation studies and planning, and roadside assistance, which many are unaware of. She and Austin also highlighted VCTC and GCTD's very successful free ride programs targeting youth and college students. In addition to discussing GCTD's routes and employee programs, Austin highlighted new on-demand service in South Oxnard and Safe Rides for transportation outside of normal service hours. A behind-the-scenes tour of GCTD's state-of-the-art facilities ended with a fun and unique bus ride through their automatic bus wash. 

After lunch, the cohort visited The Collection Riverpark, one of the most successful shopping malls in the county. The visit was coordinated by 2024 Oxnard Leadership alumna Jennifer Duarte (Director, Property Management - California) who gave an overview of the history and economic impact of The Collection, while Operations Manager Miguel Del Castillo  discussed mall operations and security, and Marketing and Business Development Manager Juliana Finberg shared the marketing strategies utilized to attract customers. A walk-talk-and-eat tour of The Collection featured various business owners and managers of Immigrant Son Caffe, The Mighty Axe, Cheesecake Factory, and King & Queen Cantina. 

The day ended with a networking happy hour at King & Queen Cantina to connect the current cohort with alumni from the Oxnard Leadership Program, which launched in 2016. To date, more than 75 people have graduated from the program.