Peter Buffa

Chairman, Public Member

As one of two public members on the OCTA Board of Directors, Chairman Buffa serves as Chair of the Executive Committee and is a member of the following committees: Finance and Administration, Legislative and Communications, and Transportation 2020.

Chairman Peter Buffa is a media, corporate communications and intergovernmental consultant. He formed Petrone' Communications, Inc., a media production and consulting firm, in 1983. His work in documentary television has earned numerous awards, including two EMMY Awards and awards from the New York and Moscow Film Festivals (The Mechanical Universe, PBS.)

Chairman Buffa served as a Council Member and Mayor of Costa Mesa, California from 1986 to 1998, following two years as a Planning Commissioner. From 1987 to 1998, Chairman Buffa served as a Director of the Transportation Corridor Agencies, including two terms as Chair of the San Joaquin Hills Corridor Agency. In 1998, Director Buffa received special recognition from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association for his work on innovative transportation projects.

Chairman Buffa's firm, Petrone' Communications, has provided consulting services to numerous public agencies on the development and implementation of public outreach and consensus-building programs, including:

Transportation Corridor Agencies

• Implemented community outreach strategy and scoping workshops for the Foothill-South toll road extension.
• Developed marketing and informational media for the TCA for broadcast and non-broadcast distribution.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

• Developed and implemented a public outreach strategy for the Santa Ana River Main Stem Improvement project, including the expansion of the Prado Dam and the opening of Seven Oaks Dam.

National Water Research Institute

• Produced a video series called "Water From Water," which explores issues such as water conservation, recycling and urban run-off.

Chairman Buffa received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Arizona in 1970, and did graduate work at the University of Southern California Film School. He was commissioned a Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force in 1970 and served as a press liaison and media production officer during the Vietnam War.

Chairman Buffa and his wife, Sharyn, live in Costa Mesa. They have two adult children.