Rail Vision
Rail Vision on April 24 reported that Shahar Hania will step down as CEO, per his request, effective April 24, to pursue new opportunities. Hania will continue to support the company, it said, as a member of the Board of Directors, also effective April 24.
In conjunction with this leadership transition, Rail Vision said the company’s Board of Directors has appointed David BenDavid as the new CEO. BenDavid, who previously served as Rail Vision’s Chief Technology Officer from 2018 to 2019, “brings extensive executive and technological expertise to the role and is well-positioned to guide the company through its next phase of strategic growth and innovation,” according to Rail Vision, which added that BenDavid “is a dynamic and entrepreneurial leader with over 25 years of global experience in driving innovation in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and other transformative technologies.”
From 2019 to 2024, BenDavid served as CEO and Co-founder of Tensorleap, which is described as “a pioneering deep learning analytics platform that empowers data science teams to build and deploy trusted, high-performance AI models with unparalleled transparency and insight.”
Previously, BenDavid was CEO and Co-founder of Ogmint, a provider of “high-end augmented reality solutions” for the retail sector, with operations in Israel and Europe. He has also held senior engineering and sales engineering positions in technology companies in both Israel and the United States. BenDavid holds a B.Sc. in mechanical engineering and a Software Engineering Certification from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.
Separately, Rail Vision in December 2024 joined MxV Rail’s Technology Roadmap Program. In August 2024, it received U.S. patent approval for its AI-based railway obstacle detection system.
HNTB
Rich Schaefer has rejoined HNTB as Program Manager; he served previously as Chief Bridge Engineer, New Jersey from 2000 to 2019. With 27 years of experience in the design, planning, and construction of transportation infrastructure, he has held senior engineering and leadership positions at NJT. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President of Capital Programs, where he developed and led one of the nation’s largest capital programs and directed a team of more than 400 professionals. He also served as Chief Engineer in the NJT Capital Planning and Program department. Additionally, Schaefer has been an adjunct professor, teaching a graduate-level course in bridge design, at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
In his new role at HNTB, Schaefer will work closely with the national transit and rail team, supporting the firm’s expanding portfolio of transit initiatives across the Northeast. He will be based in HNTB’s Parsippany, N.J., office.
“We’re excited to welcome Rich back to HNTB,” said Steve Dilts, HNTB’s New Jersey Office Leader and Senior Vice President. “His deep technical expertise and proven leadership will be instrumental in advancing critical infrastructure improvements across our region’s highway and transit networks. Rich’s track record—including the creation and successful leadership of NJT’s capital program—speaks volumes about his ability to deliver transformative results.”
“I’m excited to return to HNTB after six incredible years at NJT,” Schaefer said. “My passion for building goes hand-in-hand with my deep commitment to infrastructure and transportation. I look forward to collaborating with our clients and the talented teams at HNTB to drive innovative transit solutions across the Northeast region.”
Separately, James de la Loza recently returned to HNTB as National Practice Consultant–Transit and Senior Vice President, and HNTB Vice President Sandra M. Bucklew has been named Construction Services Leader for the firm’s Southeast Division.
MTA
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber has appointed Thomas J. Taffe as Chief of the MTAPD. Chief Taffe, who had served as Acting Chief of the MTAPD for four months, brings 30 years of law enforcement experience including more than two years as the MTAPD Chief of Operations. He will oversee the more than 1,400-member MTAPD that is responsible for patrolling and securing the MTA’s operating region. Chief Taffe was sworn in April 23 by MTA Chief Security Officer Michael Kemper at an MTAPD promotion ceremony that included 25 other members of the MTAPD. Three members were promoted to captain, one to detective sergeant, 17 members were promoted to sergeant, and three to detective; one civilian was promoted to emergency communications supervisor.
Chief Taffe joined the MTAPD after serving more than 27 years in the New York City Police Department (NYPD). In his most recent role as the MTAPD Chief of Operations, he ensured the department adhered to the mission of the MTA through strategic management of operations. During this time, Taffe managed MTAPD’s development of new patrols to work alongside NYPD at subway stations adjacent to MTA Terminals, and patrols at MTA bridges and tunnels. He also developed plans to establish the department’s first Police Academy.
Taffe began his law enforcement career with the NYPD after graduating from the NYPD Police Academy as the 1996 valedictorian. As an NYPD officer and supervisor, he served in various patrol commands in the Bronx and Manhattan, and served several years as a supervising instructor and training evaluator at the NYPD Police Academy. He was later promoted to Deputy Chief in 2018 while working in the Office of the Police Commissioner. Before joining the MTAPD, he served as the Commanding Officer of the NYPD Management and Budget Bureau.
Taffe holds a bachelor’s degree in police science with a minor in sociology and a master’s degree in economic crime management and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar Trilogy Program, and the Columbia University Business School, Police Management Institute.
“With his 30 years of law enforcement experience including an exceptionally strong background in strategic management, I have no doubt Tom Taffe is the right person to steer the MTAPD,” Janno Lieber said. “Customers can ride with confidence knowing there’s top-notch, capable leadership in place at all levels in the department.”
“The work of the MTA Police Department to create a safe and secure environment for riders has never been more important,” Michael Kemper said. “I’m thrilled to have Tom Taffe onboard who I know along with the impressive men and woman promoted today [April 23] and their fellow officers will continue to serve riders with courage, honesty and perseverance.”
“It’s an honor to lead the MTA Police Department and I look forward to continuing to serve the millions of New Yorkers who rely on this department to keep the transportation system safe,” commented Thomas J. Taffe. “Congratulations to the men and women who received their hard-earned promotions today [April 23] and together we’ll continue to uphold MTAPD’s values of excellence in leadership, integrity and professionalism.”
Separately, the MTA recently issued a “reimagined” subway map and began running the first set of Kawasaki-built open-gangway rapid transit cars on New York City Transit’s crosstown G line.
