This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
4/9/2021
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority's (VPRA) board yesterday appointed Donald "DJ" Stadtler Jr. as the authority's first executive director.
Stadtler served as executive vice president at Amtrak for the past 12 years, including as EVP of finance, operations and administration. Prior to Amtrak, he served at the Federal Railroad Administration, where he managed a $1.5 billion budget and oversaw accounting, procurement and real estate.
Established last year, the VPRA is responsible for promoting, sustaining and expanding the availability of passenger- and commuter-rail service in Virginia. As executive director, Stadtler will be accountable for all VPRA strategy, police development and operations, according to a press release.
Stadtler's appointment comes on the heels of a recent announcement from Gov. Ralph Northam and the leaders of Amtrak, CSX and the Virginia Railway Express of finalized agreements launching a $3.7 billion investment to expand and improve passenger, commuter and freight rail in Virginia, and create a vital connection in the national rail network between the Northeast and Southeast corridors.
Under the initiative, Virginia will construct a bridge over the Potomac River dedicated to passenger rail, acquire more than 380 miles of rail right-of-way and 223 miles of track, and invest more than $1 billion in additional infrastructure improvements over the next decade.