SACRAMENTO - James N. Goldstene, ARB’s Executive Officer, has announced that Dr. Alberto Ayala has been selected as a Deputy Executive Officer.  As Deputy, Alberto will be responsible for the Mobile Source Operations Division, the Monitoring and Laboratory Division, and Mobile Source Control Division. He will replace Tom Cackette, who is retiring at the end of the year.
 
“Alberto is a perfect fit for this demanding position,” said Goldstene. “He brings an exceptionally strong background in academic research and publications and has played a leadership role in ARB's world-renowned programs that have advanced automotive emissions control technology.”
 
Dr. Ayala has more than two decades of managerial experience in the development and implementation of air quality monitoring and air pollution control measures, including a wide range of vehicle-related regulations. Most recently, Dr. Ayala was the Chief of the Monitoring and Laboratory Division where he was responsible for ambient air quality and GHG monitoring, measurement methods development, analysis of motor vehicle exhaust, and management of the vapor recovery program and ARB’s air emergency response efforts.  He has also developed evaporative control regulations for several types of off-road equipment.  In previous roles he conducted cutting-edge evaluations of heavy-duty diesel and natural gas engines, managed the Carl Moyer incentive program and developed a control program for motor vehicle air conditioning replacement refrigerants.
 
Dr. Ayala received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from UC Davis, is an Adjunct Professor at West Virginia University, has published extensively, and is an active member of industry organizations such SAE International and the Coordinating Research Council.  
 
Dr. Ayala’s background and experience will allow him to carry on the tradition of excellence and commitment to regulatory integrity established by Tom Cackette in his 30 years with ARB.  Dr. Ayala will oversee the implementation of several statewide programs to address diesel truck, and car and light truck emissions including the statewide truck and bus regulation and the Advanced Clean Cars package of regulations that includes the zero-emission vehicle mandate.