In a LinkedIn post over the weekend, Texas Central’s CEO and President Carlos Aguilar said he has left the company and cited “news reports in the international press” for the timing of his announcement. Aguilar joined Texas Central in December 2016 and, in his post, said his next career move would be announced soon.
“I am immensely proud of the achievements of OUR team, gaining among many other accomplishments, end to end regulatory approvals for the first true high-speed rail project in our nation’s history. This was a most conscientious and complex endeavor, carefully addressing concerns from land owners, stakeholders and providing opportunities to all sectors of our society, a FIRST for U.S. Infrastructure,” Aguilar wrote. “While I could not align our current stakeholders on a common vision for a path forward, I wish the project the greatest success and remain convinced of the importance of this venture for the safety and prosperity of ALL Texans.”
The international news reports referenced in Aguilar’s departure announcement could include an article published earlier this month on Spanish-language news site La Informacion that reported nearly the entire management team of Texas Central had left the project and twice said the project was in a “hibernation phase,” according to knowledgeable but unnamed sources.
Aguilar ended his post with, “Texas and the U.S. deserve the best transportation options, and I am convinced that in time, these will become a reality. We can do this. VALE!”
Texas Central’s website does not have anyone listed under its executive leadership team and the most recent inclusion of Aguilar is a September 2020 blog post.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
