Choudri currently works as Senior Vice President for HNTB Corp. and brings more than 30 years of experience in the transportation sector, including working on high-speed rail projects in France and Spain.
In his previous position at HNTB, Choudri worked with federal and state level partners on a variety of transportation and infrastructure issues. In California, he worked to develop future connections between the Ontario Airport with the future Brightline West terminus in Rancho Cucamonga.
Choudri, CHSRA says, “now brings his wealth of knowledge to the Authority, as the organization moves closer to passenger operations on the nation’s first 220-mph electrified rail system.”
The new CEO selection comes as the project marks significant progress—”with historic funding from the Biden-Harris Administration, all environmental reviews from Los Angeles to the Bay Area complete, trainset selection under way, station and track construction on deck, and nearly 14,000 good paying jobs created.” CHSRA has made significant progress in the last year, including:
- “Full environmental clearance of 463 of 494 miles of the high-speed rail program from downtown San Francisco to downtown Los Angeles.
- “A total of $3.3 billion in federal grants received to advance the early operating segment in the Central Valley, including station work in the cities of Fresno, Merced, Bakersfield and the Kings/Tulare region.
- “Billions earmarked for major high-speed rail procurements, including trains, design for track and overhead electrical systems and design progress into Merced and Bakersfield.
- “13,700+ construction jobs created, with the majority of those jobs going to residents within disadvantaged communities.
- “844 certified small businesses working on the high-speed rail project.”
In January, Kelly announced his planned retirement after six years with the Authority and more than 30 years leading transportation policy issues in California. In his announcement, he expressed that “the time was right for a transition to new leadership after continued progress and forward momentum on the project as it moves closer to operations.”
CHSRA has begun work to extend the 119 miles currently under construction to 171 miles of future electrified high-speed rail from Merced to Bakersfield. There are currently more than 25 active construction sites in the Central Valley.
“After an extensive national search, we’re proud to have selected Ian Choudri as the next CEO for the California High-Speed Rail Authority,” said Board Chairman Tom Richards. “His strong understanding of complex transportation projects will help build on the progress we’ve been making and lead the organization forward on a path to passenger service. Mr. Choudri will replace outgoing CEO Brian Kelly who has led the Authority for the last six years, completing 30 years of public service to the State of California. He significantly advanced the project in his time, and we wish him all the best in retirement.”
“I’m humbled by today’s Board of Directors decision,” said Choudri. “This is a once in a lifetime project that has the attention of the nation. I look forward to joining the ranks of the dedicated employees at the Authority, rolling up my sleeves and working collectively to make our mark on high-speed rail in California. Let’s keep building and get this done.”
