Hunter: Do you know Al Engel? If not, can you get to
know him? He is highly regarded, but his ties to AECOM concern us.
AECOM recently announced a slate of high profile HSR hires.
Coincidence? I think not.
By the way, I just finished WAR, by Sebastian Junger. You
recommended it when we met for lunch. Great read. I have a friend
who’s son is with the 10th Mountain and was in Korungal prior
to the men in the book. Incredible perspective on Afganistan and combat.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Amtrak
tabs Engel to oversee HSR department
Today, Amtrak announced it named Al Engel vice president of the national
intercity passenger railroad’s newly formed high-speed rail department.
He will lead initiatives to help Amtrak play a larger role in high-speed
passenger-rail operations in the United States.
Engel most recently was vice president and high-speed rail director for AECOM,
which provides professional, technical and management support services. He also
serves on the American Public Transportation Association’s board.
Engel will be charged with pursuing partnerships with states and other
passenger-rail industry constituents to develop high-speed rail corridors, such
as new projects advancing forward in California and Florida. He also will
conduct planning activities to improve Amtrak high-speed rail operations in the
Northeast. In addition, Engel will serve as an AECOM senior advisor on a study
commissioned by Amtrak to determine the feasibility of increasing top speeds
along the Northeast Corridor, reducing trip times between Washington, D.C., and
Boston, and increasing train frequencies.
With more than 40 years of experience in the rail transportation industry,
Engel has been active in the study, advocacy and development of high-speed rail
projects, including equipment procurement and infrastructure work on the
Northeast Corridor prior to Amtrak launching Acela Express service.
Prior to joining AECOM in 2009, Engel was a financial advisor with Morgan
Stanley. He also previously served as president and CEO of SYSTRA Consulting, a
firm affiliated with France’s Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer and
Pris Metro, specializing in rail transportation and public transit planning and
engineering, including high-speed rail projects.
In addition, Engel was president, CEO and founder of SYSTRA predecessor LS
Transit Systems Inc., which provided consulting services for the California
High Speed Rail Authority as it developed an implementation plan.
“Al has considerable expertise, is a dedicated proponent for public
transportation and shares our conviction that Amtrak plays a vital, leading and
necessary role in expanding and operating high-speed rail service across the
country,” said Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph
Boardman in a prepared statement.
Bob Cook
Vice President
Government Relations
HNTB Corporation
10 West Mifflin Street, Suite 300
Madison, WI 53703
608-294-5018
bcook@hntb.com
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