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The Tri-Valley BART hubs of Dublin and Pleasanton are set to have a new representative for their district on the transit agency’s Board of Directors for the first time in decades, following the departure of the longtime director in that district earlier this spring.
The agency announced that three applications had been received following a deadline April 25, with the board now poised to interview the applicants next Thursday — Dublin Mayor Melissa Hernandez, Pleasanton tech entrepreneur Bruce Delevaux, and former Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office deputy Gabriel Rodrigues.
“It is clear that BART has some big challenges that must be addressed to bring back riders, who want the system to be safe, reliable and affordable,” Hernandez told Embarcadero Media. “As Mayor of Dublin, I currently serve or have served on multiple regional transportation boards, three of which I have led as Board Chair. It is my honor to have my application considered by BART Directors as I am ready, willing, and able to roll up my sleeves to help get things done, on Day One.”
The announcement comes following the resignation of John McPartland on March 28, leaving a vacancy on the board seat that he had occupied since he was first elected in 2008. Directors voted on April 11 to opt for an appointment process to fill the remainder of McPartland’s most recent term through Dec. 6.
From Dec. 6 onward, the seat is set to be held by the winner of a race for the full term in the position that will be decided in November’s general election.
Following interviews at the upcoming meeting, the board will have the option of appointing a candidate on the spot.
In addition to Dublin and Pleasanton, District 5 consists of Livermore and portions of Hayward, San Leandro, and unincorporated Alameda County according to the district boundaries that were most recently redrawn following the 2020 census.
Hernandez is likely the most recognizable applicant for Tri-Valley residents on the current list seeking the remainder of McPartland’s term. She is in her second term as mayor of Dublin and will be termed out of city office at the end of the year.
“I am confident that my background in public service, coupled with my understanding of transit systems and strong fiscal management experience make me a good fit for the BART board,” Hernandez said in her application. “I am excited about the possibility of undertaking this important work and would be honored to serve as a member of your Board.”
Delevaux, a Pleasanton resident, is the vice president and co-founder of Mountain View-based modem manufacturing company Teledesign Systems Inc. and a former design engineer for Stanford Telecommunications.
“As a lifelong resident of the Bay Area, I have a deep-seated appreciation for the vital role that transportation infrastructure has in shaping communities and improving quality of life,” Delevaux said in his application. “I remember being incredibly excited the first time I rode BART as a child. I am eager to contribute my expertise to furthering its mission and vision for the future.”
Rodrigues is currently a volunteer member of the BART Police Citizens’ Review Board, appointed by the BART Police Officers Association. He retired from a 12-year career as a deputy with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office in 2019.
“I understand the significant responsibilities associated with serving as a BART Director, particularly amidst the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic. I am confident that my blend of experience, dedication, and passion positions me well to contribute effectively to the BART Board of Directors,” Rodrigues said in his application. “Now semi-retired, I also have considerable time to devote to the position.”
As of press time, Hernandez and Rodrigues had both launched websites campaigning for the full term in the seat in the November election. Their early endorsements include outgoing director McPartland on Hernandez’s part, and the Bart Police Officers Association on Rodrigues’ part.
“I am proud to solely endorse Mayor Melissa Hernandez to replace me on the BART Board,” McPartland wrote in his endorsement. “These tough times demand a highly experienced, hands-on leader who can walk into the job on Day 1 knowing she’ll tackle the critical issues facing riders.”
The BART Board of Directors meeting next Thursday (May 9) is scheduled to start at 9 a.m.
