Tchourumoff appointed Minnesota's state rail director

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton announced yesterday he has named Alene Tchourumoff as the state's new rail director.

Currently, Tchourumoff is director of planning for Hennepin County Public Works, where she has been leading the country's freight-rail planning efforts. She will begin her new state duties May 2.

Alene Tchourumoff
Photo via LinkedIn

Tchourumoff will lead the Dayton administration's efforts to enhance railroad safety, pursue infrastructure improvements, continue first-responder training, monitor rail movements and work with local communities and railroads to ensure safe and efficient rail operations across the state.

Dayton described Tchourumoff as "exceptionally well qualified" for the position.

"With more than 4,400 miles of rail routes used by more than twenty different railroads, Minnesota needs a full-time, highly-qualified leader devoting close attention to their safe and efficient operations," said Dayton in a press release. "[Tchourumoff] will work out of my office to emphasize the importance I place upon her new role."

Prior to her work in Hennepin County, Tchourumoff was a manager for Deloitte Consulting in Washington, D.C., where she served as a financial and strategic policy adviser to the Federal Railroad Administration. She also served as manager in the transportation and finance practice for Infrastructure Management Group, where she advised the mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico, the California High-Speed Rail Authority, and Dallas Area Rapid Transit on rail policy and finance issues.

"Increased rail traffic in our communities will require careful, comprehensive planning and coordination with local governments, businesses, citizens, and railroad companies," said Tchourumoff. "I am honored by the governor's appointment, and can’t wait to get to work leading this administration's efforts to assure the safe and efficient movement of rail traffic across Minnesota."