The T names Baulsir VP of TEX Rail; Robinson leaves All Aboard Florida

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) yesterday announced it appointed Bob Baulsir vice president of TEX Rail and procurement.

Baulsir joined The T in November 2014 as TEX Rail's project manager. He has more than 30 years of experience overseeing large transit projects, including rail development, construction and rail facilities. Last year, he retired as general manager of administration for the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority and the Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee.

"Bob Baulsir's arrival as TEX Rail project manager has given us an experienced full time staff member devoted to the daily management of the construction project that will build on the recent significant progress The T has made toward achieving the 2018 start up for TEX Rail," said The T's President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Ballard in a press release.

A 27-mile commuter-rail project being developed by The T, TEX Rail will be the next passenger-rail service into Tarrant County, Texas.

Meanwhile, Don Robinson has left his position as president and chief operating officer of All Aboard Florida (AAF), the company confirmed to the Orlando Business Journal. Robinson joined AAF two years ago to help develop and launch the $2.5 billion passenger-rail service between Miami and Orlando, Fla., but he has now moved on to perform his own consulting work, the newspaper reported yesterday.

Since his departure, AAF realigned its executive team so that Mike Reininger now serves as president. Previously, Reininger was AAF's president and chief development officer.

The newspaper quoted a prepared statement issued by AAF Chief Marketing Officer Julie Edwards: "Don Robinson oversaw the operational functions for the passenger-rail project and has been instrumental in the sourcing and development of the locomotive and passenger coaches for All Aboard Florida. After reaching the major milestone of completing the development and design of our passenger-rail cars with Siemens and moving the project into the manufacturing phase, Don decided that the timing was right to pursue his own business in resort and hospitality consulting."