Two new appointees bring a combined 50 years of high-profile experience; Seasoned engineer, safety expert promoted

Los Angeles CA— Metrolink Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Wiggins has announced three chief-level appointments to the agency’s leadership team. These three positions will be critical as the team delivers on Wiggins’ customer-focused vision to create a modern commuter rail system that is safe and integrated with other transportation systems to best serve Southern Californians.
Eric Hosey, a seasoned passenger and freight rail operations and safety executive, has joined Metrolink as Chief Operating Officer overseeing the dispatching and operations of Metrolink’s vast 538-mile network. Darrell Maxey, who was previously Metrolink’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer and known for his role in implementing life-saving Positive Train Control Technology, has been promoted to a new role, Chief Mobilization Officer, which will focus on leading and implementing new agency-wide projects such as the new bundling contract for Metrolink operations. Finally, Noelia Rodriguez, a seasoned executive who has held leadership positions at multiple Southern California transportation agencies, will be responsible for managing the CEO’s office, overseeing customer relations, driving excellence in performance and reporting in her newly created role of Chief of Staff.
“I am excited to welcome these extremely qualified executives to my senior management team. Both Eric and Noelia are respected leaders in their fields with over half a century of experience between them. Darrell has been a dedicated, loyal employee at Metrolink who has been very helpful to me since I joined the agency in January,” said Wiggins. “Each one of these individuals brings a breadth of experience, knowledge and dedication in transportation and goods movement. We are fortunate they have chosen to join our team.”
Mr. Hosey, who started his role at Metrolink on July 29, has more than 25 years of experience in both freight and passenger rail. Most recently, he served as Assistant Vice President of Transportation for Amtrak’s Southwestern Division. He started his rail career with Norfolk Southern Railway as a brakeman and locomotive engineer. He served in the United States Navy from 1989-1994.
Mr. Maxey, who transitioned to his new role on July 29, joined Metrolink in 2006. With almost 40 years of experience, Maxey has held several important positions with Metrolink including deputy chief operating officer. Darrell served as executive in charge of leading the implementation of PTC for Metrolink, which has become the industry standard for improving the safety of railway traffic. Earlier in his career, he spent 18 years with the Southern Pacific (now Union Pacific Railroad) and nine years with Caltrain in Northern California.
Ms. Rodriguez, who will join the agency on August 26, brings more than 30 years of experience to Metrolink. She has served in leadership roles at Southern California transportation agencies such as the Port of Long Beach and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. She has also served in key roles supporting First Lady Laura Bush and Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan. She served as a resident and fellow at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics, followed by nearly five years as the director of the Kennedy School’s John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum. Before her career in academia, she was vice president of communications for Univision Communications.
“Our goal over the next five years is to double our ridership and improve our system for our valued riders who count on us to get them to their destination safely and on-time. These new additions to the team will help make that commitment a reality. At Metrolink, we recognize that customers have choices, and we will continually strive to make their Metrolink experience one they will choose again and again because of the quality and value of our service,” Wiggins added.