Keolis names Trahan chief mechanical officer of MBTA commuter rail

Keolis Commuter Services named Kenneth Trahan chief mechanical officer for its contract to operate the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's (MBTA) commuter-rail system.

Trahan will manage Keolis' fleet maintenance operations and ensure the safety, performance and regulatory compliance of the system's locomotives and coach cars, Keolis officials said in a press release.

Trahan has nearly 40 years of experience in transportation, including 29 years with United Airlines, where he most recently was director of maintenance overseeing operations in Boston and Cleveland.

During his time with the airline, Trahan oversaw the merger between United and Continental Airlines' maintenance programs in Boston.

"United Airlines is globally recognized as a leader in terms of mechanical excellence, with some of the highest safety standards in the world, and Mr. Trahan played a critical leadership role in supporting and maintaining that culture of excellence," said Gerald Francis, general manager of Keolis Commuter Services. "His skills and leadership abilities will be invaluable as we implement our plans for building a better, more reliable commuter-rail experience for this community."