MTA Metro-North Railroad Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Justin Vonashek will succeed Catherine Rinaldi as President of the second largest (by ridership) regional/commuter railroad in the U.S. Rinaldi, the first woman to lead the railroad, will retiring March 31, 2025 after nearly seven years as Metro-North President.
Vonashek joined Metro-North as Vice President of System Safety in January 2016 “as part of the railroad’s push to improve safety following several accidents in 2013,” the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) said. He was elevated to Senior Vice President Operations, “overseeing critical operational functions” in December 2020, and finally to EVP and COO in September 2023, “where he has managed all aspects of the railroad’s operations, including ensuring safety and operational excellence throughout the agency.”
“Justin Vonashek has been a key player at Metro-North for years, helping the agency deliver sky high on-time performance and record customer satisfaction,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “We are fortunate to have such a seasoned executive ready to lead and make this transition a smooth one. Cathy Rinaldi leaves big shoes to fill. There aren’t many people talented enough to run two of the busiest commuter railroads in the country, let alone at the same time, but she is one of them. We are grateful for her many years of exemplary service and wish her all the best in retirement.”
Rinaldi, one of Railway Age’s 2021 Women in Rail honorees, “leaves an impressive legacy at both Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road,” MTA noted. She served as LIRR’s Interim President from February 2022 until October 2023, and is the first woman to serve as President of both.
As Metro-North President, Rinaldi “has overseen the best on-time performance in the railroad’s history, which stands at 98%, the fifth straight year it has exceed 97%,” MTA said. “She led efforts to prioritize customer service and improve system reliability while continuing the intensive infrastructure work essential to maintaining system safety, including the opening of a brand-new maintenance and operations hub at Croton-on-Hudson and installation of Positive Train Control. During her tenure as Interim President, she oversaw the largest service increase in LIRR’s almost 200-year history that began with opening of Grand Central Madison and the Main Line Third Track Project.” Rinaldi also served as MTA Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel, and Chief of Staff and Counsel at MTA Headquarters.
“I am honored that Janno has placed his confidence in me to lead one of the busiest commuter railroads in the country,” said Vonashek. “I’m grateful to Cathy for her 20 years of service to the MTA and for her guidance over the years as we have worked together at Metro-North. I am excited for the challenges ahead and look forward to continuing to deliver the best service possible.”
