Keolis Commuter Services has appointed Justin Vonashek to be the chief safety, security, emergency preparedness and regulatory compliance officer for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail contract.
Vonashek comes to Keolis Commuter Services, a subsidiary of Keolis North America, after holding multiple positions at Metra, the commuter rail division of the Regional Transportation Authority of the Chicago metropolitan area with 241 stations on 11 different rail lines.
Most recently at Metra, Vonashek was director of regulatory compliance, where he was responsible for interacting with federal agencies including FRA, FTA and OSHA on regulatory requirements and providing needs assessment and training to maintain full compliance with federal regulations. Previously at Metra, Vonashek also was the manager of schedules and services, a corporate trainmaster, and a transportation specialist for the Chicago Union Station District.
“Justin’s extensive experience with Metra makes him extremely well qualified to assume this important position overseeing safety, security, emergency preparedness and regulatory compliance for the MBTA commuter rail system. We are very pleased to have someone of his caliber join our Boston management team,” said Gerald Francis, acting general manager for Keolis Commuter Services in Boston.
“The safety and well-being of all passengers, employees, and the entire commuter rail system is of unparalleled importance to Keolis, and to me as a senior manager. This shared commitment to safety and security makes me excited to join the Keolis Boston team, and begin serving our passengers this summer,” Vonashek said.
