Brightline
Brightline Trains on Jan. 14 named former Eurostar CEO Nicolas Petrovic as CEO of Brightline Holdings, succeeding Michael Reininger, who has led the development of Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, from 2012-2018 and again since 2021. Petrovic, based in Miami, will focus on “driving long-term value and sustained growth” for Brightline’s Florida operations, according to the company.
“Petrovic is a globally recognized name in the rail industry with more than 25 years of experience in multiple leadership positions in Europe and the Middle East,” Brightline Trains reported. “He originally joined Eurostar, the iconic rail service connecting London, Paris and Brussels, in 2003. From 2006 to 2010, he was responsible for all aspects of train operations, safety, and service delivery across three countries. From 2010 through 2018, Petrovic served as CEO of Eurostar. Under his leadership, Eurostar achieved record passenger numbers while navigating complex international regulatory environments and intensifying competition from low-cost airlines. He is credited with transforming the company by overseeing major fleet modernization programs, network expansion into the Netherlands, and significant improvements in operational performance and customer experience.”
Petrovic was the Chief Executive of Siemens France from 2018-2021, where he led the mobility, infrastructure, and digital industries divisions. Most recently, he was CEO of Etihad Rail Mobility in the United Arab Emirates.
Reininger will continue with the company as Managing Director and member of the Board of Brightline West, the planned 218-mile high-speed passenger rail system connecting Las Vegas and Southern California. As Managing Director, he will be dedicated to delivering the $21 billion Brightline West project, according to Brightline Trains, which noted that Reininger “successfully launched Brightline’s Florida operations and established the company as America’s only private intercity passenger rail service.”
Brightline covers 235 miles between Miami and Orlando (see map below). It launched the first phase of its South Florida operations in 2018, connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Stations in Boca Raton and Aventura opened in 2022. Construction of its 170-mile, $6 billion phase two extension from West Palm Beach to Orlando began in 2019 and service launched in September 2023.
Patrick Goddard and Sarah Watterson will continue in their leadership roles at Brightline Florida and Brightline West, according to Brightline Trains.
Brightline Trains also reported that Mauricio Anderson has been tapped as Chief Financial Officer of Brightline Holdings and its subsidiaries (other than Brightline West). He will replace Jeff Swiatek who joined the company in 2018 and departed in January “to pursue other opportunities,” according to Brightline Trains. Anderson has served with one of Brightline’s indirect parent entities, Florida East Coast Industries, LLC, since 2013 and as CFO since 2019. Additionally, Bruce Snyder has been promoted from Deputy Chief Financial Officer to Chief Financial Officer of Brightline West.
“We are excited about the future of Brightline, and these moves will align our executive leadership with the specific needs to support both of our businesses” said Wes Edens, founder of Brightline Holdings. “As Brightline continues to pioneer a new era in American transportation, the insights that Nicolas [Petrovic] brings from around the globe will strengthen our operating company as it continues to grow and expand, while Mike [Reininger] concentrates his focus once again on implementing an unprecedented infrastructure development.”
“Brightline has introduced new and elevated expectations for the passenger rail industry in America, and it is an honor to lead the company’s next stage of growth,” Petrovic said. “With the tools and experiences from a global peer group, I believe Brightline will continue to show the way forward for profitability and customer experience that will firmly position the business in America’s transportation landscape.”
“I’m energized to devote all my time and attention to Brightline West, one of the nation’s biggest privately led infrastructure investments,” Reininger said. “This is exactly the kind of bold project our country needs, and I’m confident we’ll set a new standard for how major rail projects are executed in the United States.”
Railway Age Contributing Editor David Peter Alan recently reported on Brightline’s finances and examined some of the challenges that now face the railroad company, which is also seeing costs skyrocket for its project to build a high-speed railroad between Southern California and Las Vegas.
Further Reading:
- Brightline Financial Woes Continue
- Brightline Loses Nearly $550MM in 2024, but Keeps on Going
- FEC, Brightline Fight in Court Over Rail Capacity
- Report: Brightline West Costs Balloon to $21.5B
- Brightline: Something Different on the Rails
UTA
UTA on Jan. 14 reported via social media that Paul Ray has signed on as Government Relations Director. He will lead the Government Relations Department and serve as a key liaison between the transit agency and state and federal policymakers.
With decades of public service experience, Ray served most recently as Director of Legislative Affairs for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, where he guided government relations strategy and advised executive leadership. Prior to that, he represented Davis County’s District 13 in the Utah House of Representatives for 20 years, chairing committees including Social Services Appropriations and the 2021 Redistricting Committee.
“His deep policy expertise, collaborative leadership style, and proven ability to advance complex legislation will be invaluable as we continue advocating for our riders and the communities we serve,” reported UTA, which offers TRAX light rail, FrontRunner commuter rail, bus, and on-demand services and serves six counties and more than 80 cities along the Wasatch Front.
Separately, UTA last spring opened a new station on the TRAX Red Line.
NCTD
NCTD has elevated Adrienne L. Johnson to Deputy Chief People Officer. She will oversee the Human Resources and Learning and Development departments for the agency, which operates Coaster commuter rail, Sprinter hybrid rail, Breeze bus, Flex on-demand, and Lift paratransit services.
With more than 17 years of HR experience, Johnson has served since January 2025 as NCTD’s Human Resources Director, managing and overseeing all aspects of HR operations, including compensation, benefits, labor relations, and recruitment. Prior to joining NCTD, she held leadership roles for organizations such as CVS Health and Starbucks.
Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science in speech pathology and is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Society for Human Resource Management. She is Vice President of the San Diego Chapter of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials.
“Adrienne brings a wealth of experience to this role, and we’re excited to have her on board to advance critical initiatives at NCTD,” said Lori A. Winfree, NCTD Deputy CEO and Chief General Counsel. “Providing a world-class employee experience is a key facet of NCTD’s North Star, and I have no doubt that Adrienne will work diligently to move us forward toward our goals.”
“I am delighted to move into this leadership role at NCTD and look forward to enhancing the incredible work the organization is already doing,” Johnson said. “I am motivated to champion a workplace where employees feel valued, engaged and empowered to thrive. As I continue my journey with NCTD, I will lead with a deliberate and people-centered approach guided by the principle of treating others the way they want to be treated.”
NCTD last fall marked 50 years of service.
TriMet
Jamie Snook has transitioned to Executive Director of Capital Project Delivery at TriMet, following service in an interim capacity since September. She joined the transit agency in 2019 as Capital Projects Planning Manager and was elevated to Major Projects Director in 2021.
Snook now oversees capital improvement and maintenance projects across TriMet, which provides MAX light rail, WES commuter rail, bus, and LIFT paratransit services across 533 square miles of Oregon’s three most populous counties (Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas).
Before joining TriMet, Snook worked for Oregon Metro for 14 years, and at a private engineering and design firm for six years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in geography and regional planning from Westfield State University in Massachusetts.
“I am honored to lead this amazing team in Engineering & Construction,” Snook said. “I want to thank everyone for the commitment they bring to this work every day. I know there are tough times ahead, but I believe that by working together—with honesty, care and respect—we can navigate these challenges and continue to improve and move our system forward.”
“There is hardly a major transit project in our region over the last 20 years that Jamie hasn’t been a part of or worked on directly,” said Claire Khouri, TriMet’s Chief Strategy & Planning Officer. “It has become evident that she tirelessly works to build partnerships internally, across the region and within our industry. Jamie knows how to deliver projects for the benefit of TriMet’s riders and our entire community.”
TriMet in June adopted a $1.96 billion overall budget for FY2026. At that time, the agency said it was taking steps to address a $50.2 million deficit projected for next fiscal year, “tightening spending ahead of a fiscal cliff projected in 2031.”
Separately, TriMet in November took delivery of its last Type 6 MAX LRV on order from Siemens Mobility.
