Danielle Schmitz selected as Executive Director of Napa Valley Transportation Authority

NAPA, Calif. — The Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA) Board appointed Danielle Schmitz as the agency’s new Executive Director effective July 1. Schmitz has served the agency since 2008, most recently as the Deputy Executive Director, and will succeed longtime Executive Director Kate Miller, who will retire on June 30 after 13 years of leadership.

“I am honored to have the confidence of the NVTA Board and the agency’s dedicated staff as I step into this leadership role, and I look forward to expanding on the good work already underway,” Schmitz said. “Kate Miller has been an incredible mentor to me, and with the support of our talented NVTA team, I am ready for the challenges and opportunities the position entails.”

Schmitz has spent the majority of her career at NVTA, most recently serving as Deputy Executive Director, where she played a key role in delivering major transportation projects such as the $56 million Soscol Junction Interchange, the $48 million Vine Transit Maintenance Facility, and the $20 million Calistoga-to-St. Helena Napa Valley Vine Trail project. Her appointment comes as NVTA moves forward with important initiatives, including multimodal improvements on SR 29 in American Canyon and at Jameson/Airport and updating Napa’s Countywide Transportation Plan.

“Danielle’s track record speaks for itself. Her commitment to the agency, her understanding of the community and her deep knowledge of transportation planning made her shine as a candidate,” said Mark Joseph, Chair of the NVTA Board of Directors. “We look forward to what NVTA accomplishes under this fresh – yet familiar – leadership.”

A graduate of Napa High School (2002) Schmitz earned her B.A. in Geography and Environmental Studies from UCLA before returning to Napa to join NVTA, initially working half time for the County managing the Green Business and Winery Program, in addition to taking on planning responsibilities at NVTA. She has since held various leadership positions across the agency. Outside of her professional work, Schmitz has been a dedicated community leader. She served 11 years on the Board of NEWS Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Services, including two years as board president, and currently sits on both the Napa Valley Vine Trail Board of Directors and the California Transit Association’s Federal Legislative Committee.

Schmitz resides in Napa with her husband and three children. She is committed to continuing NVTA’s mission of delivering high-quality, equitable transportation solutions throughout Napa County.

ABOUT NVTA
Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA) serves as the Congestion Management Agency for Napa County, responsible for programming state and federal funds for local projects. NVTA also oversees the county’s short- and long-term regional transportation planning, working closely with its partners to improve Napa County’s streets, highways, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities. NVTA also manages the Vine Transit bus system, providing local fixed-route service in Napa, door-to-door paratransit and community shuttles, and regional express bus service throughout the North Bay.