Staff Directory

Vanessa Rauschenberger

Vanessa Rauschenberger is the General Manager, where she is responsible for fixed-route and paratransit service development, communications, and customer service functions of GCTD. As a third generation resident of Ventura County, she’s passionate about helping to continuously advance the role of public transit in and around Ventura County. Vanessa joined GCTD in 2011, Before joining GCTD, Vanessa worked for NYC’s Department of Transportation as Project Manager for the Safe Routes to Schools program. She holds a bachelor’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and Masters in Urban Planning from Hunter College.

Dawn Perkins

Dawn Perkins is the Director of Finance for Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD). She comes most recently as the Director of Administrative Services from the City of Avenal in California’s Central Valley for the past 6 years. She has been a Certified Public Accountant for 15 years, working in both the private sector and local government for which she has over 17 years of experience.

James Beck

James joined GCTD in 2010 where he began as Mechanic II and then Fleet Manager before assuming his role of Director of Operations and Maintenance. James has more than 25 years of experience in maintenance management and operations. James is skilled in labor relations, project management and organizational development.

James received an Associate’s Degree from Universal Technical Institute and his Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Management from Grand Canyon University.

James is a member of both the Operations and Maintenance committees for the California Transit Association (CTA) as well as the Clean Propulsion Committee for the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). James will be leading GCTD’s efforts in zero-emissions planning as we move into the future.

Cynthia Duque

Cynthia Duque has 17 years experience working in communications and public relations at the local, state and federal level. Since joining GCTD in 2011 as the Communications and Marketing Manager, she has led the agency’s communication efforts through a variety of projects, including the rebranding of the organization in 2015, oversight of all internal and external communications strategies, public outreach programs, advertising, marketing, and media relations. In her new role as Director of Planning and Marketing, she leads a talented and creative team to re-imagine and expand the innovative services we offer. Cynthia’s strategic and creative approach to challenges seeks to improve the passenger experience and cultivate new ridership.  Cynthia is a native of Oxnard and graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a bachelor’s in Global Studies.

Alex Zaretsky

Alex Zaretsky serves as the Director of Human Resources for GCTD. He brings over 27 years of human resources and risk management experience to the District, including tenure as both the Human Resources and Risk Manager. Additionally, he serves as the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer and the Chief Safety Executive overseeing recruitment and hiring, risk and safety, health and wellness and several other employee programs. He also serves as a key member of the management team, including overseeing labor relations, personnel matters, and litigation. He holds a bachelor’s and masters degree in Business Administration and Management and a Juris Doctorate.