Retiring SANBAG Chief Named Director Of New CSUSB Transportation Center

Norm King, the longtime executive director of San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG), who will retire from that organization this winter, has been hired as the first director of the new University Transportation Center at Cal State San Bernardino, beginning Jan. 30, 2006.

"We're delighted that Norm King will join the university in this role," said Albert Karnig, president of Cal State San Bernardino. "Norm has remarkable insight into the interrelated array of transportation issues at the local, state and national levels. He's also had extensive - and successful - experience in working with the diverse interests with stakes in the various transportation issues that the center will treat."

"I am delighted and honored to be able to join Cal State San Bernardino, to be able to stay engaged in transportation issues and to continue serving the Inland Empire," King said. "This is a unique opportunity to use university resources to enhance the quality of life for our region."

The CSUSB transportation center will promote research on transportation issues and opportunities, while also creating an integrated transportation database. The center will focus on the policies and practices that impact the efficient and effective movement of people and goods through and to the Inland Empire, as well as intermodal opportunities and transportation security issues. The university will build upon the center's work later to develop a transportation curriculum.

King will help to appoint an advisory board for the transportation center, and then work with the board and university administration to further develop its mission and formulate a strategic plan.

The University Transportation Center received a financial boost of $2 million in federal funding over four years through the legislative support of Congressman Jerry Lewis. CSUSB is one of 22 colleges and universities nationally to be identified as "Tier II" transportation center grant awardees.

Lewis said a transportation research center would be a perfect fit for students to learn about transportation issues because the Inland Empire region has a number of major interstate highways, major rail lines and airports.

King was appointed director of SANBAG in August 1996, and has overseen numerous major transportation projects, including the construction of Route 210 and Route 71 and the widening of Interstate 10 and Route 60. Previously, he served as the city manager of Moreno Valley (1991-1996), Palm Springs (1979-1990) and Claremont (1974-1979). He was a visiting lecturer at Claremont McKenna College from 1991-2002.

King currently serves as chairman of the International City/County Management Association Retirement Corporation, a financial services firm that provides deferred compensation to state and local government employees. He is also a member of the Advisory Council of the Public Policy Institute of California.

For more information, contact the university's public affairs office at (909) 537-5007 and visit http://news.csusb.edu