People on the Move - Page 7

MBTA also names inaugural director of light rail

John Raff has been with the commission since 2005, the latest role in his 40-year career

California – The California Highway Patrol has appointed Nick Beard as chief technology officer. Beard has served as senior business manager at the California Department of Technology (CDT) for the last three years. Prior to joining the CDT, Beard was chief operations manager at the

Minnesota – Heidi Welsch will be the next county manager for Dakota County, which includes the southern area of the Twin Cities. Welsh previously served as county administrator for Olmstead County for 11 years. She brings 28 years of public service experience to the position.

Texas – Russell Schaffner will join Collin County as deputy administrator. Schaffner previously served as assistant county administrator for Tarrant County, a role he held for eight years. He has also worked as an assistant county administrator for legislative affairs, mobility coordinator and

South Dakota – The Rapid City Regional Airport has appointed Brian Bishop as deputy director. Bishop brings 25 years of experience in the aviation industry to the role. Bishop previously served as deputy airport director of operations and maintenance at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport.

Virginia – The Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA) Board has appointed Quin Lunsford as executive director. Lunsford has served as ACSA’s director of finance for the past decade.

Kansas –The city of Wichita has hired Penny Feist as transportation director. Feist has been serving as interim transportation director since January 2024. She started working for the city in 2022 as assistant director of public works and utilities. She brings more than 17 years of

Sarah Hicks has served as budget director since October 2017

Ara Najarian has served on Glendale City Council for 19 years, including four terms as mayor