advertisement

---

Last week, Metrolink's board voted unanimously to appoint Michael DePallo, currently the director and general manager of the Port Authority Trans Hudson Corp. (PATH), as chief executive officer.

DePallo has a "proven record" on safety and leadership, and has led PATH's efforts to modernize its rail-car fleet, said Metrolink Chairman Richard Katz in a prepared statement.

"In his current role, he is overseeing projects very similar to Metrolink's positive train control, Guardian cars, locomotive upgrades and fare media issues," Katz said. "We look forward to his leadership.

DePallo led PATH, a heavy-rail subsidiary of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, to record ridership in 2011 after ridership had plummeted 10 years earlier in the wake of 9/11. He chairs the Security Affairs Steering Committee for the American Public Transportation Association.

Prior to PATH, DePallo held leadership posts at Bay Area Rapid Transit, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

DePallo begins his new Metrolink duties on Oct. 15. He succeeds John Fenton, who departed to become president and CEO of Patriot Rail Corp. To read a profile on Fenton in the September issue of Progressive Railroading, follow this link.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority announced finalists for the general manager and CEO position currently held by Beverly Scott, who informed the board last year she would not seek to renew her contract.

The authority has narrowed the field to Stephen Bland, CEO of the Port Authority of Allegheny County, and Keith Parker, president and CEO for VIA Metropolitan Transit in San Antonio, Texas.

Bland has held his position at the port authority since 2006. With more than 20 years of experience in public transportation, he previously was executive director of the Capital District Transportation Authority in Albany, N.Y.

Parker has served as VIA's president and CEO since 2009. He previously was CEO for the Charlotte Area Transit System, which he joined in 2000 as chief operating officer.