OCTA Board Taps Jamey M. Federico to Serve as 2026 Board Chair

Federico, a Dana Point council member, takes the gavel from Doug Chaffee and will lead the 18-member Board of Directors, which guides transportation policy for Orange County

ORANGE - The Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors at its first meeting of the new year today unanimously selected Jamey M. Federico to serve as Chair of the Board.

Federico, who serves as a Dana Point council member, replaces outgoing Chair Doug Chaffee, who remains on the Board as Orange County's Fourth District Supervisor.

"I am grateful to my colleagues on the Board for showing confidence in me and allowing me the opportunity to serve as Chair of the OCTA Board," Chair Federico said. "I look forward to working together to deliver transportation solutions that improve the way people move, enhance safety and support the economic vitality of Orange County."

Federico has served on the OCTA Board of Directors since January 2023. He has been an active voice in advancing policies that emphasize accountability, fiscal responsibility and multimodal transportation options for residents, commuters and visitors alike.

As Chair, Federico will help guide OCTA's efforts to expand transportation choices, reduce congestion and continue delivering projects that keep Orange County moving efficiently and safely.

Federico's selection comes as OCTA continues to work on major freeway, transit, rail and active transportation investments to meet the needs of one of the nation's most populous and diverse counties.

Federico was elected to the Dana Point City Council in November 2018 and has served as mayor and mayor pro tem. His public service has focused on infrastructure investment, public safety and responsible governance.

In addition to his elected service, Federico is a small business owner and a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel. Commissioned as an officer in 1996, Federico served nearly 22 years on active duty, including four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, before retiring from active duty in 2017.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geomechanics from the University of Rochester, a Master of Business Administration from Webster University, and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He is a life member of Dana Point VFW Post 9934 and serves on the Advisory Brigade for the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group.

Federico and his wife, Alexis, also a former Marine helicopter pilot, live in Dana Point.

The OCTA Board also appointed Director Fred Jung, mayor of Fullerton, as Vice Chair. In addition, the Board welcomed new Director Lauren Kleiman, who is also mayor of Newport Beach, and administered oaths of office for new terms to returning directors Valerie Amezcua, mayor of Santa Ana; Stephanie Klopfenstein, mayor of Garden Grove; Carlos Leon, Anaheim council member; and Mark Tettemer, Lake Forest council member.

The OCTA Board is comprised of 18 members, including the five county supervisors, two members from city councils in each of the five supervisorial districts, two public members, and the Caltrans District Director, who serves in a non-voting ex-officio capacity.

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