Orange County civic leader Sarah L. Catz has joined Vectis Strategies as senior partner. A leading transportation/infrastructure and public policy expert, she will open the firm’s Irvine office and lead its Orange County expansion.
“The Founders of Vectis Strategies have built an incredibly impressive firm in a short period of time that has delivered real results for clients — especially those with issues at the intersection of PR and politics. I am looking forward to accelerating the firm’s growth and providing new and expanded services to our clients,” said Catz.
Catz spent 10 years with the Orange County Transportation Authority, serving as chairman of the board and was a founding member and two term chairperson of the board of directors of Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink). Catz is currently chairwoman of the Orange County Forum, a nonpartisan current affairs organization convening the Orange County civic community to exchange ideas, and discuss public policy issues with distinguished speakers and national leaders.
During the past two decades, Catz has played a key role in critical transportation and infrastructure projects, both at the local and state levels. She has served as the state’s acting deputy secretary of transportation as well as the project manager for The Commission on Building for the 21st Century, a California infrastructure commission that included projects within water, transportation, housing, facilities and technology areas. While with the state of California, Catz also helped secure state funding for critical infrastructure projects, including major rail projects in southern California.
“Sarah is a powerhouse in the infrastructure/transportation and public policy fields. Her knowledge and experience will be invaluable to our clients as we continue to grow Vectis especially with a focus on water, transportation and technology,” said former U.S. Congressman Ron Packard, who is a founding partner of Vectis Strategies.
Prior to joining Vectis, Catz was vice chancellor of Brandman University-Chapman University System in Orange County with responsibility for community and government relations as well as advancement and alumni relations. She has also been a partner in a national law firm and operated her own public affairs consulting practice.
Catz has been recognized by The League of Women Voters of Orange County with the “OC Woman of Achievement” Award and by OC Metro Magazine as one of “10 Women Making a Difference in Orange County.” Catz received her law degree from the University of Santa Clara and her bachelor’s degree from George Washington University.
“I have seen firsthand how respected Sarah is by federal, state, and local government staff and elected officials, which is why she is the perfect person to lead our firm’s expansion into Orange County,” said David A. Herbst, Founder and Managing Partner of Vectis Strategies. “The OC is a significant economic engine in Southern California. Given our current client base—including representing the largest bank based in Orange County — we see the potential in the region and we are lucky to have Sarah leading the charge.”
