Oxnard Leadership Program explores roads, runways, and waterways for Transportation Day

The Oxnard Leadership Program’s Class of 2026 got an exclusive, all-access look at how the city (and beyond!) moves during Transportation Day on Friday, July 24. The jam-packed itinerary brought local leaders face-to-face with the experts running Ventura County's roads, runways, and waterways, including Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC), the Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD), the City of Oxnard’s Traffic Engineering division, Ventura County Airport Authority, Vintage Marina/Suntex, and Ventura County Harbor Department.

The day kicked off at the John C. Zaragoza Transit Center with a panel discussion on the region's biggest traffic and transit needs. Leaders chatted directly with Martin Erickson from VCTC, Vanessa Rauschenberger from GCTD, and the City’s Traffic Engineering team represented by Debbie O'Leary and Jose Rivera. The discussion focused on current programs and upcoming initiatives aimed at making local commutes smoother and more accessible.

Next, the cohort headed over to the Oxnard Airport to explore the city's aviation infrastructure. Jannette Jauregui from the Ventura County Airport Authority welcomed the crew and led an exciting, all-access tour. The group checked out the Air Traffic Control Tower, peeked inside Aspen Helicopters, and saw the heavy-duty Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting gear up close.

At noon, everyone headed to the Channel Islands Harbor for lunch and a shift toward maritime commerce. Vintage Marina/Suntex Regional Manager Robert Ashe took the group on a walking tour of the docks, followed by a county harbor update from Michael Tripp. To wrap up the busy day, the group hopped aboard Duffy boats—provided courtesy of Vintage Marina/Suntex and Reel Guppy Outdoors—for a relaxing harbor cruise.

A huge thank you goes out to our panelists and presenters for sharing their expertise and insider knowledge, and to Vintage Marina/Suntex, and Cohort X member Kevin Brannon's Reel Guppy Outdoors for providing the excellent Duffy boat harbor cruise to close out the day.

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Are you ready to step up, connect with local decision-makers, and help shape the future of our community's infrastructure? Applications for the next Oxnard Leadership Program cohort are opening soon!