Amtrak names Predmore to succeed Hylander as chief safety officer

Amtrak has appointed Steve Predmore executive vice president and chief safety officer effective Nov. 4.

Predmore will succeed Ken Hylander, who will return to retirement on Nov. 15, Amtrak officials said yesterday in a press release.

Predmore will lead Amtrak's consolidated safety resources, a team that includes the system safety, compliance and training, environmental compliance, sustainability and public health groups. He will report to Stephen Gardner, senior EVP and chief operating and commercial officer.

"We are pleased to welcome Steve to Amtrak as a recognized leader in the implementation and operation of safety management systems (SMS),” Gardner said. "He has a deep understanding of system safety, human factors and human performance that will help us build and sustain a high-performing safety culture."

Most recently, Predmore was VP and CSO of the Bristow Group, one of the world's largest providers of rotary and fixed wing aviation services for offshore transportation and search and rescue. During his five-year tenure, Predmore implemented the SMS model within several high-risk businesses, including offshore helicopter services.

Prior to working for Bristow, Predmore was senior VP of safety for MV Transportation, a U.S. provider of contracted passenger services. He also has nearly two decades of experience in the aviation industry, having served in safety roles at JetBlue Airways and Delta Air Lines.

Amtrak hired Hylander, who also came from the aviation industry, as the railroad's EVP and CSO in January 2018. He has been responsible for implementing a safety management system at Amtrak.