As has been widely reported, several top executives of the troubled CHSRA have resigned. Executive Director Roelof van Ark and Board Chair Thomas Umberg announced their resignations at the last Board meeting. Press Secretary Rachel Wall is also leaving.
Not so widely reported was the departure of Karen Rae, Deputy Director at the FRA. Rae was the one who oversaw the high-speed rail program. In October, she left the FRA to join the Gov. Cuomo Administration.
Her replacement, Karen Hedland, was appointed to the position last month. Are you curious to know her expertise in high-speed rail?
With more than 35 years of experience in the legal profession, Karen’s knowledge and expertise of major infrastructure projects and public finance will continue to be an invaluable asset to FRA in her new capacity as Deputy Administrator.
How typical of the FRA, to appoint a lawyer!
Karen Hedlund
[...] authorities (Atlantic Cities) and lots of departures from its High Speed Rail Authority (Systemic Failure). I’m on the fence about the RDA’s, sure they rebuilt inner cities with affordable [...]
This is the US. A lawyer is pretty much what they need to get through the EIRs, property acquisitions (including eminent domain), local government agreements, NIMBY lawsuits, bond issuances, bidding rounds, etc. etc. etc.