On 12 October 2015 the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) announced the appointment of Lisa Marie Alley as its new Chief of Communications.
“No infrastructure program of this size and importance can be successfully implemented without effectively communicating its purpose, progress, and benefits to the public and stakeholders,” said Authority CEO Jeff Morales. “Lisa Marie has been an integral part of this effort for the last three years, building strong relationships with the media, our partners throughout the state, and the public. I’m very excited to have her continue with us in this new role.”

As Chief of Communications, Alley will be responsible for the development and implementation of all internal and external communications activities, including media relations. In addition to her communications role, she will oversee a comprehensive stakeholder outreach campaign to build broad support for the high-speed rail program, and will be responsible for the Authority’s small business outreach strategy. The compensation is $111,636.

Alley was first appointed to the Authority as Assistant Deputy Director of Communications in 2012 and subsequently was named Deputy Director of Public Affairs in 2013. Alley has more than 15 years of experience in the field of public affairs and media relations. Before joining the Authority, Alley worked as a communications consultant, and was previously a television journalist in Sacramento and Seattle.

(Source: CHSRA)