CRC
CRC on July 8 reported that its new Board includes five Executive Committee members, who will serve two-year terms; they will be supported by six Members-at-Large. All will work with the Coalition to “engage and educate stakeholders on the value commuter railroads bring to the communities and millions of riders they serve each year.”
CRC Chair Michelle Bouchard, who was previously CRC Vice Chair, led Caltrain’s successful $2.4 billion Electrification Project. With more than 25 years of transit experience, she will help advance the CRC’s priorities, which include addressing issues surrounding excess liability insurance for the commuter rail industry and expanding the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) Program to include commuter railroads.
In addition to Bouchard (pictured, top left), the four other 2025 Board members are:
- Vice Chair: Dave Dech, Executive Director at South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) (fourth from right).
- Secretary: Darren Kettle, CEO at Metrolink in Southern California (third from right).
- Treasurer: Gabriel Lopez-Bernal, President at Icomera North America (second from right).
- Affiliate Member Representative: Otis Tolbert, Managing Director at Aon (right).
The six 2025 members-at-large are:
- Kathryn Holmes, Attorney at Holmes & Associates (pictured, top, left).
- Phil Eng, General Manager and CEO at Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) (second from left).
- Rob Free, President at MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) (third from left).
- Dee Leggett, Executive Vice President/Chief Development Officer at Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) (third from right).
- Jon McDonald, Global Director of Rail Systems and Assurance at Hatch (second from right).
- Rich Andreski, President and CEO at Trinity Metro in Fort Worth, Tex. (right).
The CRC Board’s outgoing Chair, Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District President Mike Noland, and Treasurer, T.Y. Lin International Senior Vice President Joe Yesbeck, have reached their term limits.
“I’m excited by the dynamic that this group of industry veterans will bring to the governance of the CRC,” CRC CEO KellyAnne Gallagher said. “With many returning board members taking on new leadership roles, I look forward to engaging their expertise and diverse perspectives as the CRC continues to grow in breadth and influence. Commuter railroads form the backbones of communities across the country, providing safe and sustainable transportation that delivers clear return on investment. As commuter rail agencies across the country face pressing challenges including funding changes and fiscal cliffs, our new leadership will set the tone for nationwide advocacy and engagement.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with rail leaders from across the country to find sustainable funding sources that ensure we continue serving millions of riders for years to come,” CRC Board Chair Michelle Bouchard said. “On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Mike and Joe for their vision, commitment to commuter rail riders, and effort in leaving the CRC in a strong fiscal position.”
“I am personally delighted to transition leadership of this Board to Michelle, Dave, and the rest of the executive leadership team and know I’m leaving the coalition in great hands,” CRC Immediate Past Board Chair Mike Noland said. “I’m proud of the CRC’s work on behalf of rail agencies, operators and business partners over the past six years. We’ve made our case to Congress loud and clear on the solutions needed to keep commuter rail on the right track.”
Further Reading: Five Key Takeaways From the 2024 Commuter Rail Summit
CN
CN in June appointed Étienne Bourgeois as Vice President, Treasury and Tax. “Étienne brings a wealth of experience in treasury management, risk mitigation and strategic financial planning,” the Class I railroad reported via social media on July 7. He served most recently as Vice President, Operations at the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), where he oversaw multi-billion-dollar daily cash flows. Before that, he held senior leadership positions at Ivanhoé Cambridge, including as Vice President, Integrated Financial Operations and Taxation, and Head of Corporate Finance and Financial Optimization.
At CN, Bourgeois is responsible for shaping and executing the railroad’s financial policies, and overseeing its capital structure, financial risk management, taxation, and cash management. He also contributes as an internal advisor on financial matters, including mergers and acquisitions, pension strategies, and real estate optimization.
Bourgeois holds a master’s degree in international tax law from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, Calif., and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from HEC Montreal. He is also a Chartered Professional Accountant and member of the Order of CPA Québec.
Further Reading: CN Outlines 2025 Capex Plan
