CEO TOM MARGRO DISCUSSES HIS VISION FOR ORANGE COUNTY’S TOLL ROAD SYSTEM

Tom Margro recently joined TCA as CEO and announced that completing the final segment of the 241 Toll Road is his top priority. A conversation with him during his first week on the job as head of the 85-person public agency follows.


Why did you decide to come to TCA?
I was at BART for a very long time, for five years as assistant general manager in charge of construction and new extensions and then 11 years as general manager. And I just decided after that long of time I was just looking for new challenges and opportunities to do something different. It just so happened that this opportunity came up. The more I looked into it the more it seemed like a good match.

What about the position was appealing?
I like to build things, to be able to see things through, to get things done. I get a great deal of satisfaction from seeing things through to completion and I saw this as a great opportunity to take on what now looks like a very big challenge and to be able to grab that and to solve some of the issues and get the 241 completed.

Where do you see yourself focusing most of your time and energy? You’re an engineer by training but also have years of management experience.
Well I haven’t done any real engineering for about 20 years so I jokingly tell people I just push paper around now. The focus that I see right now is to overcome the issues that are out there that are tying to block the 241 from being completed. In most large projects now, engineering is not the toughest thing. It’s all of the permitting, approvals and funding. Those are the things you have to move on and the unfortunate thing is the more delay you get, that impacts the funding as well.

What do you think of TCA’s environmental programs?
One of the things that is very important about the completion of the 241 Toll Road is that it is constructed in an environmentally friendly way and meets all of the regulatory requirements. TCA has done an outstanding job on mitigation in building the first 51 miles of the system. As we go forward with the last 16 miles, it is paramount that TCA continue that tradition and make sure all environmental aspects of the project are considered and an excellent mitigation plan is put into place.

You mentioned when you joined TCA that completing the 241 was your top priority. Besides that, what are your other priorities?
Obviously completing Foothill-South is the top priority but there are a number of other things that are important here. The acquisition effort that’s going on is a very big issue for both roads, both agencies. And also we can’t forget that what we’re doing is providing a transportation mode so we’ve got to be attentive to our customers as well, and make sure we keep our eye on providing good service and making sure the roads operate properly and that people are able to use them efficiently. That involves not only the day to day operations but there are also some of other capital projects that we’re involved in and we have to make sure that those keep moving along as well.

What is your vision for TCA five or 10 years from now?
The Toll Roads will continue to play a very important role in mobility for the region. They provide alternatives to congested freeways and additional capacity for people as they commute and go about their daily activities. The Toll Roads also provide alternative evacuation routes for any natural disasters that might occur. That capacity will become more and more important as the population grows and traffic increases.

What are your impressions of Orange County?
It’s very similar here to the area where I live in the Bay Area. It’s sunny, warm, you drive quite a bit.

Coming from the Bay Area, are you a Giants fan or a Kings fan? Can we bring you over to the Angels and Ducks?
Baseball-wise I’m an Oakland A’s fan and football-wise I’m still a Philadelphia Eagle fan from way, way back But I do like baseball. I like to go to baseball and football games.