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Yesterday, the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Operations Board appointed Richard Dalton acting chief executive officer effective July 1. Current CEO Dale Zehner will retire on June 30.

Dalton is a seasoned veteran of rail operations, particularly in the technical and mechanical aspects of the industry, VRE officials said in a prepared statement. In 2009, he was hired as VRE’s director of rail equipment and services, and since then has brought “critical strategic thinking that has helped VRE increased performance to some of the highest measures ever,” they said.

He also was forward deployed in various sea commands in the United States Navy before taking his talents to the private sector. His areas of expertise include customer service, operations and technical solutions for the rail industry.

Dalton will lead VRE as the agency implements its long-term operational plans consistent with the goals outlined in its strategic plans, they said. Phase 2 of the long-term strategic plan calls for VRE to expand commuter-rail service to areas such as Gainesville and Haymarket, Va., as well as Spotsylvania County.