San Joaquin RTD appoints new CEO as incumbent retires

Alex Clifford has been unanimously approved by the San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) Board of Directors to be the new CEO. 

Clifford, who currently serves as CEO of nearby Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District, will begin his term on Jan. 31, 2022, as RTD’s current CEO Gloria G. Salazar retires in February 2022, after 20 years of service at RTD. 

Clifford is credible and well-known in the transit industry, joining RTD with 30 years of transit experience, inclusive of eight years on the policy side as a city councilman.  With ambitious projects already in the works, RTD will grow its zero-emission bus fleet, clean energy infrastructure and the next generation of service design under his wealth of experience.   

“I look forward to this opportunity to take the handoff from two well respected CEOs, former CEO Donna DeMartino and current CEO Gloria Salazar.  It will be an honor to lead such a well-run, progressive, and innovative transit organization,” said Clifford. “RTD has a great board of directors and they are proud of their APTA Transit Agency of the Year award. I look forward to collaborating with the Board, staff, stakeholders, riders and the public to build upon the past and to achieve new successes in mobility and clean bus propulsion, such as hydrogen fuel cell, as we all do our part to reduce traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.”  

Clifford went on to say the public transit industry has suffered huge ridership losses during the pandemic.   

“We will work hard to identify innovative ways to attract back our loyal transit riders and new riders while at the same time keeping our frontline workers safe,” Clifford concluded. 

“On behalf of the board of directors, I welcome Alex to RTD.  We believe he is the right leader to bring RTD to the next level of excellence in transit service, technology, and operational sustainability,” said Board Chair Michael Restuccia.  “The board is grateful for Gloria’s exceptional leadership as CEO during the pandemic that has added strength and financial stability to our organization.  In addition to her many accomplishments during her 20 years at RTD, her focus on succession planning—especially her cooperative spirit in this transition—has been a tremendous help in launching RTD into the next chapter of leadership.”