LOS ANGELES – Mayor Karen Bass issued the following statement after the Los Angeles City Council unanimously confirmed Laura Rubio-Cornejo as General Manager of the Department of Transportation today:
“I look forward to working with General Manager Rubio-Cornejo to continue to improve our transportation system here in Los Angeles while working to prepare our City for major upcoming events that will draw visitors from around the world.” said Mayor Karen Bass. “She will be a champion for critical traffic safety improvements and will help the Department focus on real solutions for historically disadvantaged neighborhoods while delivering a high-level of customer service to Angelenos. Thank you to the City Council for taking this courageous step towards improving our City.”
I am honored that the City Council approved my appointment and thank Mayor Bass for selecting me to be General Manager of the Department of Transportation,” said Laura Rubio-Cornejo, confirmed General Manager appointee for LADOT. I look forward to working with Mayor Bass, the City Council, Department of Transportation staff, across departments and in close collaboration with the community to deliver transportation services to Angelenos and work to make L.A.’s streets safer, more accessible and more livable.”
Pasadena City Manager Miguel Márquez said, “Laura has been a strong and steady leader and an integral part of the City’s management team, especially during our unprecedented COVID response and recovery efforts. She has been a remarkable steward of the City’s transportation assets, and a national leader in the transportation industry. Her strong work ethic, warm demeanor, and positive attitude has resulted in numerous accomplishments for the community we serve. She leaves a strong foundation for the City going forward.
“Move LA is excited that Mayor Bass has appointed a world-class General Manager in Laura Rubio-Cornejo to lead LADOT. The General Manager role is vital to ensuring more equitable, safe and affordable public transportation and active transportation. I look forward to working with the administration to improve the City’s DASH bus system, the Commuter Express and to make our streets safer so we can reduce the epidemic of traffic fatalities,” said Eli Lipmen, Executive Director of Move L.A.
“In Southern California, we have important work to do on street safety, equity and preparing for major events; Laura Rubio-Cornejo brings a strong background to this role and will be an invaluable partner as we work to address these challenges. On behalf of our board and staff at Southern California Association of Governments, we congratulate Laura on her confirmation and look forward to collaborating with her on efforts to create equitable, sustainable mobility options and increase access across our great region,” said Kome Ajise, Executive Director of Southern California Association of Governments.
Regional mobility leaders commended Mayor Bass’ appointment of Laura Rubio-Cornejo last month. Read quotes of support from L.A. Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins, California Transportation Commissioner and Executive Director of FASTLinkDTLA Hilary Norton, CicLAvia Executive Director Romel Pascual and Co-Executive Director, Jobs to Move America Madeline Janis, Esq here.
Rubio-Cornejo brings over 20 years of municipal, regional and state transportation experience. Read more about her professional history and achievements here.
Laura Rubio-Cornejo will begin as General Manager of the Department of Transportation on September 25, 2023 following more than a year of dedicated service from interim General Manager Connie Llanos. The first Latina to serve in this role, Connie Llanos made equity and inclusion top priorities by advancing active and public transportation projects, helping to improve streets after and creating the Department’s first joint English and Spanish glossary of transportation terms for Angelenos.