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Doug Allen has been named chief executive officer of Virginia Railway Express (VRE) to succeed Dale Zehner, who retired in June.

A veteran of transportation operations, Allen formerly was executive vice president and chief development officer at Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority in Austin, Texas, VRE officials said in a prepared statement.

Allen's selection as the northern Virginia commuter railroad's next leader was approved late last week by the agency's governing bodies, Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission and the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, after he was recommended by the VRE Operations Board. Allen has more than 30 years of experience in the public and private sectors.

Among his priorities as CEO will be to maintain VRE's high level of customer service and implement long-term operational plans consistent with the agency's strategic plan, Allen said. The second phase of that plan calls for VRE to explore "innovative ways" to expand service into Gainesville and Haymarket, as well as bring commuter-rail service to Spotsylvania County, he said.

"What stood out to me about VRE was their approach to service," Allen said.