Title

High-Speed Rail: Connecting and Transforming California

Time

1:40 - 3:00pm

Location

1605 Tilia, Room 1103, West Village

Abstract

Dan Richard, Chair of the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s Board of Directors, will provide an update on the historic rail project underway in California. Not only is the largest infrastructure project in the nation putting tens of thousands of people to work as it connects the major economic centers of the state, it’s doing so in a manner that puts a heavy emphasis on sustainability and green practices. 2015 was a year of great progress for high-speed rail in California, with much more to come in 2016. In this seminar, Richards will provide an overview of work currently underway and a look ahead at the project’s next steps. Also, learn more about the innovative approach the Authority is taking to ensure high-speed rail is built and operates in a manner that protects the environment, improves air quality and reduces energy dependency.

Biographical Sketch

Dan Richard of Piedmont, has been a principal of Dan Richard Advisors since 2010. He was managing partner and co-founder of Heritage Oak Capital Partners, an infrastructure finance firm, from 2007 to 2009 and was senior vice president of public policy and governmental relations at Pacific Gas and Electric Company from 1997 to 2006.

Richard was an elected member of the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District from 1992 to 2004, where he served twice as president of the Board. At the Bay Area Rapid Transit District, Richard led efforts to secure $4 billion in capital for system rehabilitation projects, the transit system’s expansion to the San Francisco Airport and seismic retrofit programs.

Richard was a principal at Morse, Richard, Weisenmiller & Associates from 1986 to 1996, a firm serving the independent power industry and project finance lending community. He was vice president of Independent Power Corporation from 1983 to 1986. Richard served as Governor Brown’s deputy legal affairs secretary from 1982 to 1983 and deputy assistant for science and technology from 1978 to 1979. He was advisor to the chairman of the California Energy Commission from 1978 to 1982.

Richard began his career at National Aeronautics and Space Administration, where he was assistant to the deputy associate administrator from 1972 to 1978. Richard received his Juris Doctor degree from McGeorge School of Law.

Appointed by the Governor.