San Bernardino, CA – Yucaipa City Council Member David Avila was elected Vice Chair of the Omnitrans Board of Directors at the transit agency’s December 6 meeting.  He fills a vacancy created when Redlands Council Pat Gilbreath passed away in October.

Avila’s term as Vice Chair will run through June 2019.  Traditionally, the Vice Chair subsequently assumes the Board Chair position for a two-year term.  The Omnitrans Board consists of elected officials representing each of the 15 cities Omnitrans serves and four San Bernardino County Supervisors. The current Chair is Loma Linda Council Member Ron Dailey.

“There are too many cars on the road.  We need to make public transit a more viable alternative,” said Avila. “I look forward to working with Omnitrans to help implement faster and more streamlined services to attract new riders.”

Avila joined the Omnitrans Board in January 2017, and has served on the Board’s Administrative & Finance Committee.  He also represents Yucaipa on the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority Board of Directors.

A 30-year resident of Yucaipa, Avila has served on the City Council since 2014. He had a 32-year career with Cal Fire (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) before retiring as a battalion chief.

He received his Associate of Science degree from Crafton Hills College and earned a BA at California State University, Fullerton.  Avila said he used public transit often while a student at CSUF.