Our Bureau
Sacramento, CA
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 recently 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.” –Board Chairman Tom Richards
“I’m humbled by 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,” said 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.” –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 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.
