Amtrak
The Amtrak Board of Directors on July 31 approved Costin Corneanu as Executive Vice President, CFO, effective Aug. 4. Corneau will succeed Tracie Winbigler, who will retire from Amtrak on Jan. 1, 2026. Until then, Winbigler will remain in her EVP role as Chief Transformation Officer, leaing the Procurement and Real Estate teams. In his new role, Corneanu will be responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing all financial activities for the organization.
According to Amtrak, this appointment has been a planned transition. Corneanu has been serving as Deputy Chief Financial Officer since January. The position serves as a key member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team and reports to the President. The current Finance team will report to Corneanu in his role as CFO, responsible for preparing finance reports, forecasting, and strategic planning for future business growth and economic outlooks. The team, the company says, also “sets the long-term strategic vision, priorities, and budgets within the context of Amtrak’s strategic plans and oversees accounting, treasury, grants, audit, risk and controls, and capital portfolio governance functions.”
Prior to Amtrak, Corneanu spent eight years at Spirit Airlines and four years at US Airways, where he earned a series of promotions with increased responsibilities. Throughout his career, Corneanu has excelled at partnering with internal stakeholders to improve performance and efficiency.
“Since joining Amtrak in 2020, Costin has been a cornerstone of our financial leadership, bringing deep expertise and strategic insight to the table,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “As we navigate this historic surge in demand, he’s exactly who we need to guide our finance team as we reimagine what modern rail travel can be.”
Trinity Metro
Trinity Metro announced July 31 that Reed Lanham has been named COO following a nationwide search. Previously Vice President of Rail, he has held a variety of leadership roles since joining the agency in 2015. As COO, Lanham will oversee Trinity Metro Bus, Trinity Metro On-Demand ridesharing, Trinity Metro On-Demand Paratransit, safety and security.
“Reed’s nearly 20 years of transportation expertise, leadership abilities and track record of delivering results make him a natural fit for this role,” said Trinity Metro President & CEO Richard Andreski. “He fosters a culture of high performance, teamwork, innovation and efficiency. As a collaborative leader, he excels at building partnerships and has negotiated and executed $469 million in contracts.”
Under his leadership, Trinity Metro TEXRail has experienced a 12-13% annual growth rate and has rebounded most quickly post-pandemic among all commuter rail lines in the nation, according to the agency. During his tenure, Lanham played key roles in the start-up of TEXRail, led the implementation of regional positive train control, and partnered with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) on the development of Trinity Railway Express.
“Trinity Metro TEXRail, along with the Orange Line and Blue Line, are great springboards to introduce public transportation to non-riders,” Lanham said. “Giving people the opportunity to ride for the first time is a great way to encourage ridership across all of our service lines.”
Urban Engineers, Inc.
Urban, a multidiscipline firm specializing in planning, engineering design, environmental, and construction services, announced July 31 that Jim Bilella, PE, has been named by the Board of Directors as CEO. Additionally, Christopher Bobrowski, CPA, has been promoted to CFO. Bilella and Bobrowski are both veterans of the firm, having served for more than 30 years and six years, respectively.
“Jim has all the engineering and leadership experience to meet the moment for Urban and lead us forward into the years to come,” said Dianne Semingson, Chair of the Board of Directors for Urban. “In partnership with Chris as the new CFO, the Board is confident they will continue to build on the strong foundation that has been put in place in the past year. The Board extends its appreciation to Pat McCormick, our previous CEO, for his leadership during the past year, and we are pleased to share that he will continue to serve on Urban’s Board of Directors.”
Bilella previously served as Vice President and Market Leader for Rail and Transit at Urban. In this role, he led complex infrastructure/facilities projects and oversaw projects covering light rail, heavy rail, subway, and other public transit systems, focusing on design, construction, and maintenance.
With more than 32 years in the industry, he has collaborated with both external partners and internal teams to develop innovative solutions that “enhance the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of public transportation networks,” the firm noted. During his time at Urban, Bilella has held a variety of leadership positions, starting as an inspector in the Construction Management and Inspection Department on the New Jersey Turnpike. He worked across traffic, intelligent transportation systems, and streetscape design, including for the City of Philadelphia, and played a key role in developing the firm’s Streetscape Department. Bilella later led the transition and integration of the Marvin Waxman MEP firm, acquired by Urban.
Bilella holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Drexel University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in 38 states. He serves on the Board of Directors for Historical Fort Mifflin in Philadelphia, Pa. He previously served as Mayor of Berlin Borough, N.J., and has also served as an Engineer Officer in the U.S. Army Reserves.
“In August, Urban celebrates its 65th anniversary, and I have been extremely fortunate to have been part of this incredible company for almost half of its storied history,” said Bilella. “Before joining Urban, I served in the military, where the mission was, ‘mission first, people always.’ That resonates deeply with me and reflects our values at Urban. Our success comes from the technical skills, relationships, and work ethic of our people. My primary focus as Interim CEO will be to support each other as employee owners and help the company grow together.”
Bobrowski, the newly appointed Interim CFO, has more than 20 years of experience. He joined Urban in 2019 and has been instrumental in strengthening the firm’s financial systems and controls, according to Urban. As CFO, he will oversee the firm’s financial strategy and operations, contributing to Urban’s continued growth and success. He holds certifications as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), bringing a strong background in audit, financial operations, and compliance.
