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Metra CEO Don Orseno plans to retire at end of 2017, successor named


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#1 CNJRoss

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Posted 25 February 2017 - 08:18 PM

Chicago Sun-Times, 2/24:
 

Metra CEO Don Orseno announces plans to retire at end of 2017

 

Metra CEO Don Orseno announced Friday that he plans to retire in December.

 

The 62-year-old Orseno, appointed agency executive director/CEO in August 2013, announced his decision to step down on Metra’s Twitter account.

 

“After 43 years in the railroad industry, I wish to inform you of my plans to retire at the end of year,” Orseno wrote in a series of Tweets. “It’s time for me to slow down a bit and spend more time at home with my wife and family. Metra has been a great place to work. I’m extremely grateful for all the opportunities along the way. Thank you for your support over the years.”

 

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#2 CNJRoss

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Posted 17 August 2017 - 07:55 AM

Metra news release:

 
Metra Board picks James M. Derwinski to lead agency  
 
(August 16, 2017) - The Metra Board of Directors has unanimously selected James M. Derwinski to be the next Executive Director/CEO of the commuter rail agency.

 

Mr. Derwinski, 49, has had a long career in Metra’s Mechanical Department and currently serves as its Chief Mechanical Officer. In that role he oversees 650 employees responsible for the repair, inspection, cleaning and maintenance of nearly 1,200 railcars and locomotives. He is also in charge of in-house railcar and locomotive rehabilitation programs, a contract for locomotive remanufacturing and the installation of Positive Train Control on cab cars and engines.

 

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“In Jim Derwinski we have an inspirational leader, well known for his effective communications and ability to develop people, thus earning him great respect within Metra. Using his intelligence and skills, Jim has developed processes and procedures that make efficient use of taxpayer dollars,” said Metra Board Chairman Norman Carlson. “Prime examples are his department’s rolling stock rehabilitation, remanufacturing and maintenance programs that keep our aging cars and locomotives running – helping us to meet our on-time performance goal for 29 months and counting.”

 

“We interviewed many qualified candidates for this position but we feel Jim is best qualified to lead Metra,” said Board Vice Chairman Romayne C. Brown, who led the board’s search. “With our funding challenges, we need someone with his proven energy and resourcefulness to keep us on track as we face some difficult years ahead. Jim is that person. He is an innovator who is willing to try new things that have achieved very effective use of precious capital dollars.”

 

Mr. Derwinski will replace Don Orseno, who is retiring at the end of 2017. The Board made the selection at this time so that there will be a lengthy transition period before Mr. Orseno retires. Mr. Derwinski will be paid a salary of $275,000 effective January 1, 2018.

 

“With Jim’s background, railroad knowledge and collaborative working relationship with BNSF, Union Pacific and the regulatory agencies, I am confident he will hit the ground running when he takes the helm at Metra in 2018,” Mr. Orseno said. “I will be pleased to leave the agency under Jim’s leadership.”

 

After a six-year stint in the U.S. Navy as an electrician on nuclear submarines, Mr. Derwinski began his railroad career as a locomotive electrician with the Chicago & North Western Railroad in 1993. He joined Metra as an electrician in 1997 and steadily rose through the ranks serving as a foreman, general foreman, shop superintendent, director of systems maintenance, locomotive superintendent, Rock Island division director and Milwaukee division director and then senior director of mechanical operations. He was named Chief Mechanical Officer in September 2013.

 



#3 CNJRoss

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Posted 14 December 2017 - 08:50 AM

Metra news release:

 
Metra locomotive named for retiring CEO  
(December 13, 2017) - Metra today honored retiring CEO/Executive Director Don Orseno by placing his name on a locomotive that had been repainted in the red and yellow colors of the Rock Island Railroad.
 

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“Before he heads off into the next chapter, we wanted to be able to show Don what he’s meant to Metra and the railroad industry,” said incoming CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “There was no better way to honor a man who has devoted so much of his life to the railroad.”

 

Orseno, who retires at the end of the month after 44 years in railroading, began his career on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. Today, a remnant of that railroad operates as Metra’s Rock Island Line to Joliet.

 

MP36PH Locomotive No. 425 had recently undergone a rehabilitation by Metra forces at its 47th Street Shop in Chicago. The locomotive was already scheduled for repainting when the plan was made to honor Orseno. The red and yellow color scheme was designed by Philip Weibler and placed in service on the Rock Island in 1969. Metra also consulted Electro Motive Division, now Progress Rail, which manufactured the original locomotives featuring this color scheme, on the exact color specifications.

 

Locomotive No. 425 will be placed in service this week on the Rock Island Line.

 

 






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