Transportation Sector Veteran Ian Choudri Named CEO of California High-Speed Rail Authority
- He will take over helm at important, transformational stage for the state’s ambitious high-speed rail project.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has named Ian Choudri its new chief executive officer. With over 30 years of leadership experience in the transportation sector, he will take over the helm at an important, transformational stage for California’s ambitious high-speed rail project. He will replace outgoing CEO Brian Kelly who has led the Authority for the last six years.
Choudri currently serves as senior vice president at HNTB Corporation, an American-based infrastructure design firm that has extensive experience working on federal and state-level transportation infrastructure projects and systems. He serves as a national strategic advisor to multiple rail, transit and transportation agencies that require an understanding and ability to navigate unique technical, regulatory and financial challenges.
According to a press release issued by the California High-Speed Rail Authority, “the new CEO selection comes as the project marks significant progress with historic funding from the Biden-Harris Administration.” The project has created “nearly 14,000 good paying jobs,” the press release added, noting that “environmental reviews from Los Angeles to the Bay Area are complete, trainset selection is underway, station and track construction is on deck.”
Politico notes that Choudri has his work cut out for him. “He’ll be tasked with guiding the state’s high-profile rail project as it gets closer to completing its first stretch of track through the Central Valley and as uncertainty looms around its funding stream.”
In a statement, Choudri said he’s “humbled” by decision, to lead “a once in a lifetime project that has the attention of the nation.” He said he looks forward “to joining the ranks of the dedicated employees at the Authority, rolling up my sleeves and working collectively to make our mark on high-speed rail in California. Let’s keep building and get this done.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom welcomed Choudri’s appointment. “Ian’s deep experience and get-it-done attitude are impressive, and he’s taking control at an important moment for this project,” he said. “Over the next few years, the dream of high-speed rail in California will become a reality, as we begin to lay track, design and build stations, and buy trains. Ian is the perfect steward for the next phase of high-speed rail.” He thanked Kelly “for his years of leadership on this project, and for bringing California closer to dream reality.”
In his previous position at HNTB, Choudri worked with federal and state level partners on a variety of transportation and infrastructure issues. In California, he worked with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority to develop a tunnel mobility solution that will shuttle passengers between the Ontario Airport and the future Brightline West terminus in Rancho Cucamonga. Earlier in his career, he spent over a decade working on high-speed train technology and train control systems in France and Spain, giving him deeper knowledge and understanding of complex projects and train systems.