FRA's Alexy named chief safety officer

Karl Alexy has been named associate administrator for railroad safety and chief safety officer for the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Office of Railroad Safety.

Alexy succeeds Robert Lauby, who retired from the FRA in April. In his new role, Alexy will manage the FRA's regulatory oversight of rail safety. He will also oversee the development and enforcement of regulations and safety programs for the freight and passenger-rail industry, FRA officials said in an online statement.

Prior to his appointment, Alexy had been the office's deputy associate administrator.

Alexy joined the FRA in 2009 as general engineer in the hazardous materials division, where he collaborated with other U.S. Department of Transportation agencies and the freight-rail industry on rulemakings, enforcement, research and outreach.

In 2012, Alexy became staff director of the FRA's Hazardous Materials Division and, in coordination with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration, led efforts to develop the regulation for enhanced tank car standards and operational controls for high-hazard flammable trains.

Prior to joining the FRA, Alexy worked for DuPont de Nemours in Wilmington, Delaware, where he was senior engineer in the logistics group.