August 8, 2024
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California High-Speed Rail Authority’s Board of Directors has appointed Ian Choudri as the next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the program. The announcement was made today after the Board met in closed session in Sacramento. Choudri currently works as Senior Vice President for HNTB corporation and brings more than 30 years’ experience in the transportation sector, including working on high-speed rail projects in France and Spain.
“After an extensive national search, we’re proud to have selected Ian Choudri as the next CEO for the California High-Speed Rail Authority. His strong understanding of complex transportation projects will help build on the progress we’ve been making and lead the organization forward on a path to passenger service. Mr. Choudri will replace outgoing CEO Brian Kelly who has led the Authority for the last six years, completing 30 years of public service to the State of California. He significantly advanced the project in his time, and we wish him all the best in retirement.” –Board Chairman Tom Richards
“I’m humbled by today’s Board of Directors decision.This is a once in a lifetime project that has the attention of the nation. I look 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.”–Incoming CEO Ian Choudri
“Ian’s deep experience and get-it-done attitude are impressive, and he’s taking control at an important moment for this project. 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. I want to thank Brian Kelly for his years of leadership on this project, and for bringing California closer to this dream reality.” –Governor Gavin Newsom
“Our efforts are bigger than one project – this is about transforming ground transportation for the world’s 5th largest economy, while showing the nation what is possible with enough vision and will and bringing a cleaner transportation future to California. This is critical to California’s future as we link whole regions – universities and businesses, tourists and commuters – with fast. efficient service from the Bay Area through the Central Valley and into Southern California.” –Governor Gavin Newsom
“We are committed to getting passengers on fast electric trains as soon as possible in California. Ian is a seasoned executive with decades of leadership experience. His innovative ideas and commitment to transportation will help move California high-speed rail to the next phase of progress.” –CalSTA Secretary Toks Omishakin
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 to develop future connections between the Ontario Airport with the future Brightline West terminus in Rancho Cucamonga.
Choudri now brings his wealth of knowledge to the Authority, as the organization moves closer to passenger operations on the nation’s first 220-mph electrified rail system.
The new CEO selection comes as the project marks significant progress – with historic funding from the Biden-Harris Administration, all environmental reviews from Los Angeles to the Bay Area complete, trainset selection underway, station and track construction on deck, and nearly 14,000 good paying jobs created. The Authority has made significant progress in the last year, including:
- Full environmental clearance of 463 of 494 miles of the high-speed rail program from downtown San Francisco to downtown Los Angeles.
- A total of $3.3 billion in federal grants received to advance the early operating segment in the Central Valley, including station work in the cities of Fresno, Merced, Bakersfield and the Kings/Tulare region.
- Billions earmarked for major high-speed rail procurements, including trains, design for track and overhead electrical systems and design progress into Merced and Bakersfield.
- 13,700+ construction jobs created, with the majority of those jobs going to residents within disadvantaged communities.
- 844 certified small businesses working on the high-speed rail project.
In January, Authority CEO Brian Kelly announced his planned retirement after six years with the Authority and over 30 years leading transportation policy issues in California. In his announcement, he expressed that the time was right for a transition to new leadership after continued progress and forward momentum on the project as it moves closer to operations.
The Authority has begun work to extend the 119 miles currently under construction to 171 miles of future electrified high-speed rail from Merced to Bakersfield. There are currently more than 25 active construction sites in the Central Valley.
For the latest on high-speed rail construction including the more than 25 active job sites underway in the Central Valley, visit www.buildhsr.com.
The following link contains recent video, animations, photography, press center resources and latest renderings: https://hsra.app.box.com/s/vyvjv9hckwl1dk603ju15u07fdfir2q8
These files are all available for free use, courtesy of the California High-Speed Rail Authority.
