NICTD
David Dech, effective March 16, will succeed Michael Noland as President of NICTD, operator of the South Shore Line commuter railroad, “bringing the native Ohioan back to the region where he began his career,” according to a Lakeshore Public Media report.
According to the report, after the NICTD Board Trustees confirmed Dech’s appointment he said, “I spent 23 years with CSX, and this is really a full-circle moment for me. When I started on the railroad 30 years ago, I used to take trains through Miller and Gary, going into Chicago with CSX as an engineer and conductor.”
Since 2022, Dech has led the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) as Executive Director. He previously worked at Capital Metro in Austin, Texas, also a commuter railroad, “though he noted he’ll need to adapt to an electric railroad, having worked at diesel-powered ones before,” according to the Lakeshore Public Media report. Dech will become NICTD’s third leader since its founding in 19777.
According to the report, Noland is retiring after a decade “highlighted by the Double Track project that recapitalized the line between Gary and Michigan City and the West Lake Corridor project that is extending it eight miles southward through Hammond and Munster.”
“I’ll have the confidence to sleep at night knowing that the railroad’s in great hands, and there’s exciting things that are coming,” Noland said.
Dech said he’s “excited to join NICTD at a time when the South Shore Line is in good condition and is expanding service,” according to the report.
HNTB
HNTB announced Jan. 27 that Kimberly Lesay has joined the firm as a Practice Consultant in its Planning Department. In this role, Lesay “will leverage her extensive experience in transportation planning and environmental policy to support HNTB’s clients and projects across Connecticut and the Northeast.”
Lesay has more than 30 years of experience in the transportation industry, including leadership roles at the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), where she served as Bureau Chief of Policy & Planning. In that role, she led multidisciplinary teams responsible for fulfilling federal planning requirements and advanced statewide transportation initiatives. She was responsible for the integration of the Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) into CTDOT’s statewide planning process, which improved overall project development and helped identify strategic independent projects for the state. Her leadership also established new units with the Bureau that focused on active transportation as well as sustainability and resilience.
“I am excited to join HNTB and contribute to projects that shape the future of transportation in our region,” said Lesay. “HNTB’s commitment to technical excellence and collaboration aligns perfectly with my passion for delivering sustainable, innovative solutions that serve communities and improve mobility.”
Previously, Lesay managed the Office of Environmental Planning at CTDOT, overseeing regulatory compliance and permitting for major infrastructure projects. She worked closely with federal and state agencies to streamline processes and improve project delivery while protecting environmental resources. In this role, and as Bureau Chief, Lesay successfully led and supported legislative changes on the state level to streamline the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection hearing process.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kimberly to our team,” said Jake Argiro, HNTB’s Connecticut Office Leader and Vice President. “Her deep knowledge of transportation planning and proven ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes will be invaluable to our clients. Kimberly’s leadership and collaborative approach will strengthen our planning practice and help us deliver exceptional results. She will play a key role in supporting strategic initiatives throughout the region.”
Lesay is a recognized leader in the industry, having served on the WTS Connecticut Advisory Board, on the Connecticut Port Authority Board of Directors on behalf of the CTDOT Commissioner, and several working groups for the Governor’s Council on Climate Change. She was named WTS Connecticut Woman of the Year in 2021 and is a graduate of the AASHTO Executive Institute.
GoRail
GoRail has provided the following memoriam in honor of its dear colleague and friend, Michael Brian Gaynor, who passed away recently.
Gaynor joined GoRail (then Go21) in 2007 as a Midwest state organizer out of his home state of Ohio. He “expeditiously” assumed the role of National Field Director in 2010, and then Assistant Vice President of Field Operations in 2015, “using his keen political instinct to lead GoRail’s team of organizers across countless campaigns that have driven significant impact for the freight rail industry.” Gaynor assumed the role of GoRail President in 2025, “working diligently to make the transition seamless and to successfully position GoRail for its next chapter.”
“Gaynor’s body of work was both wide-ranging and deeply impactful. As a state director, he was a relentless organizer—meeting with thousands of local leaders, creating advocacy opportunities, and engaging people where they were. He approached every conversation and every campaign with the same discipline and integrity,” GoRail wrote.
“At the same time, Gaynor wasn’t just a skilled field organizer but also a leader who elevated those around him. He believed that good leaders modeled what should be done—and that’s exactly what he did every day, holding himself to a standard that we all tried to match. He had a competitive side that was contagious and drove results. At the same time, he deeply cared for each of us, showing his compassion and thoughtfulness in quiet and consistent ways. He was quick to laugh at a joke or tell a funny story—and his face lit up when he was excited about a new idea or campaign.
“Beyond his many professional accomplishments, Gaynor took great pride in being a devoted husband to Elizabeth and father to Nate and Collin. He was a true renaissance man: a foodie and wine connoisseur, Phish Phan, outdoorsman and hunter, and an adrenaline junkie who took joy in riding and racing motorcycles with his sons, and at one point was a certified skydiver.
“Gaynor’s enduring imprint can be seen across our team and work. He was a respected leader, a tireless advocate for freight rail, and a valued colleague to so many across the industry. He was a good man and a good friend. We will miss and think of him every day. We’ll also hold dear the thousands of shared memories across his nearly two decades at GoRail.”
