Bouchard becomes Caltrain's first executive director

Caltrain's board yesterday unanimously appointed Michelle Bouchard as the agency's first permanent executive director.

She has served as acting executive director since April 2021 and has worked for Caltrain for more than 20 years. 

A more than 25-year transit industry veteran, Bouchard has helped the agency implement key rail systems, including the procurement, design and installation of a new rail operations control system, Caltrain officials said in a press release. She's also credited with helping complete operations and capital program planning in support of the future high-speed rail service on the Caltrain corridor that's being developed by the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

Since taking over as acting executive director, Bouchard has overseen the electrification project that aims to modernize Caltrain service beginning in 2024.

Bouchard succeeds Jim Hartnett, the former San Mateo County Transit District CEO who announced plans to step down in 2020. As CEO of SMCTD, he also served as executive director of Caltrain and executive director of the San Mateo County Transportation Authority.