Richard Katz serves on the Governing Board of the L.A. Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the California High Speed Rail Authority. Previously he served for 16 years in the California State Assembly, including ten years as Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee. He authored the successful Proposition 111, a Transportation Blueprint that raised more money for mass transit and highways than any other effort in California’s history. He told us a little about himself before chatting high speed rail with his fellow panelists.

Q. What is the last habit you tried to kick?

A. Staying up too late.

Q. Who was your childhood hero?

A. John Glenn and Mickey Mantle.

Q. What do you consider to be the greatest simple pleasure?

A. My three-year-old.

Q. Where would we find you at 10 a.m. on a typical Saturday?

A. With my family.

Q. What do you do to clear your mind?

A. Play basketball or go hiking.

Q. What do you wish you had the nerve to do?

A. Skydive.

Q. What music have you listened to today?

A. Rock and roll and country western.

Q. What is your favorite word?

A. Possibilities.

Q. If you could take only one more journey, where would you go?

A. To see the northern lights.

Q. What profession would you like to practice in your next life?

A. Same one I’m doing now.

Q. Who is the one person living or dead you most want to meet for dinner?

A. Start with my wife. Then Bobby Kennedy.

To read more about Katz’s panel, click here.

*Photo by Aaron Salcido.