Toks Omishakin, California’s Secretary of Transportation, is scheduled to deliver a marquee address at AutoMobility LA on November 20, offering journalists and industry executives an uncommon chance to hear directly from one of the nation’s most consequential voices in transportation policy during the Los Angeles Auto Show’s designated media and industry day.
The session comes at a pivotal moment as California continues to chart an ambitious course toward transforming how Americans travel, positioning itself as the laboratory for mobility innovations that often presage national policy shifts.
“As California leads the nation in reimagining transportation, there’s no more important conversation than the one connecting state policy with the innovation coming from the automotive and mobility sectors,” said Terri Toennies, president of the Los Angeles Auto Show. “We’re honored to welcome Secretary Omishakin to AutoMobility LA and provide attendees with a direct line to the policies shaping the future of how we move.”
The midday presentation on the AutoMobility LA Main Stage, sponsored by Cox Automotive, carries the title “Direct Line: Live with California’s Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin.” The format promises an unprecedented level of accessibility between state leadership and an industry navigating profound technological and regulatory transformation.
Secretary Omishakin is anticipated to delve into California’s multifaceted approach to ushering in the next generation of mobility, examining critical initiatives spanning vehicle electrification, large-scale infrastructure investment, climate-conscious policy frameworks, and the increasingly important convergence of public sector oversight with private sector innovation. Registered participants will be invited to submit questions and suggest discussion topics in advance, which will be addressed during the live presentation, followed by an extended question-and-answer period with audience members in attendance.
“California is proving what’s possible when policy, innovation, and people-centric values align,” said Omishakin, who heads the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA). “From expanding zero-emission readiness in our communities to setting the global model for safe autonomous vehicle deployment, we rely on our Core Four priorities to build a transportation system that’s cleaner, safer, more equitable and contributes to prosperity for every Californian.”
The state’s transportation portfolio under Secretary Omishakin’s stewardship has expanded to encompass numerous groundbreaking programs. Among the most notable recent developments is the establishment this year of the California New Motor Vehicle Board’s Zero Emission Vehicle Readiness Awards, an initiative designed to spotlight municipalities and regions demonstrating leadership in advancing cleaner, environmentally responsible transportation alternatives. The recognition program honors communities that have made measurable progress in expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure, facilitating zero-emission vehicle adoption among residents and businesses, and implementing equitable, forward-thinking policies as part of a comprehensive strategy to diminish carbon emissions.
On the innovation frontier, the California Department of Motor Vehicles recently unveiled proposed regulations that would significantly expand the state’s autonomous vehicle framework to encompass heavy-duty commercial trucks, reinforcing California’s position at the forefront of self-driving technology oversight. The draft regulatory framework introduces a carefully calibrated, phased permitting system, more rigorous safety protocols and reporting requirements, and strengthened enforcement capabilities—all aimed at supporting the freight transportation sector while simultaneously enhancing roadway safety and operational efficiency across the state.
Appointed Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency in 2022, Omishakin exercises executive authority over all eight state transportation departments, boards and commissions, which collectively employ more than 42,000 individuals and command an annual budget exceeding $30 billion. Before his elevation to Secretary, Omishakin served for three years as Director of the California Department of Transportation, known as Caltrans, where he built a reputation for data-driven decision-making and cross-sector collaboration.
The appearance represents one of the premier attractions within an extensively programmed lineup of panel discussions, keynote addresses and exclusive media vehicle previews at AutoMobility LA. As the media and industry preview component of the Los Angeles Auto Show, AutoMobility LA serves as a critical gathering point where the worldwide mobility ecosystem assembles to examine emerging technologies, evolving policy frameworks, and strategic partnerships that will fundamentally shape transportation’s trajectory. The main stage programming, developed in close partnership with prominent media organizations and industry collaborators, showcases high-profile keynote presentations, expert panel discussions, and dynamic live conversations that wrestle with the most consequential questions facing the transportation sector.
All main stage programming, including Secretary Omishakin’s session, will be available to a worldwide audience through live streaming provided by CarBuzz, the official digital broadcast partner of AutoMobility LA, ensuring global access to these influential conversations shaping the future of mobility.