CITT News

PHOTO (L-R): Riley Keller, Chief of the Technical Freight and Project Integration Office at Caltrans Headquarters, and Robert Loya, CEO of the Harbor Trucking Association

Please join CITT in welcoming Robert Loya, CEO of the Harbor Trucking Association, and Riley Keller, Chief of the Technical Freight and Project Integration Office at Caltrans Headquarters, to the CITT Policy and Steering Committee! Loya and Keller attended their inaugural Policy and Steering Committee meeting in December 2025 and CITT looks forward to working together in the new year. CITT’s Policy and Steering Committee is crucial to the success of the Center and has contributed to CITT’s reputation as a unique focal point between industry, government, academic research, education, and community leaders.

Robert Loya is a leader in the goods movement industry with extensive experience advancing efficiency, sustainability, and policy initiatives on behalf of intermodal trucking. He has held key leadership roles as Board President and Executive Board Member of the Harbor Trucking Association (HTA) and as Board President of the California Trucking Association (CTA). His industry leadership extends nationally, having served on the boards of the American Trucking Associations and the Intermodal Association of North America, and contributing to federal and state legislative efforts including the Ocean Shipping Reform Act. He has also worked closely with the Federal Maritime Commission and West Coast ports to shape strategies that strengthen competitiveness and environmental performance. In addition to his professional leadership, Mr. Loya has built a strong academic and development foundation. He earned an Executive Master of Science in Transportation Management from the University of Denver and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. He is also a graduate of the inaugural American Trucking Associations LEAD program.

Keller is Chief of the Technical Freight and Project Integration Office at Caltrans Headquarters in Sacramento. With over eight years of experience at Caltrans, Riley has led initiatives across freight planning, transportation electrification, and corridor planning. Riley oversees the department’s administration of the $1.2 billion Port and Freight Infrastructure Program (PFIP), including the freight planning and freight project development activities.

“Freight policy isn’t just about moving goods, it’s about moving communities forward. I’m honored to serve on the CITT Policy and Steering Committee to help advance workforce strategies that strengthen our supply chains, support career pathways, and ensure the next generation of transportation professionals is ready to meet the transportation challenges ahead,” Keller said.

Prior to his current role, Riley served as Caltrans Transportation Electrification Program Manager, spearheading zero-emission vehicle policy and infrastructure strategies, and as Caltrans Branch Chief of Freight Planning, where Riley developed tools and guidance for statewide freight planning. Riley’s career also includes leadership roles in regional planning and environmental analysis, with a focus on air quality conformity, public health equity, and sustainable transportation. Riley holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and is certified as a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. Riley is an active community advocate and has contributed to national transportation efforts through the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Special Committee on Freight.