Rinaldi Tapped to Lead LIRR as Interim President

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chair and CEO Janno Lieber appointed Catherine Rinaldi to serve as interim president of MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). Rinaldi will concurrently serve as president of Metro-North Railroad, a role she has held since 2018.

Rinaldi will succeed Phillip Eng, who is retiring after nearly four years as LIRR president.

Rinaldi grew up in Huntington, Long Island, and previously served as VP and general counsel at the LIRR from 2008 to 2011. Rinaldi was named the 2018 Woman of the Year by the Greater New York Chapter of the Women’s Transportation Seminar.

“Cathy Rinaldi is a proven leader with nearly twenty years of experience at the MTA, having served in leadership positions at headquarters and both commuter railroads,” Lieber said. “At Metro-North, she has led efforts to improve system reliability, achieve excellent customer service, and continue the intensive infrastructure work essential to maintaining system safety. She has great relations with labor, has the respect of her staff and puts the customer first. Phil has done an incredible job as president of the LIRR, strengthening operations through the LIRR Forward Plan and overseeing historic infrastructure investments like East Side Access and Third Track — all the while navigating a once-in-a-century crisis with COVID.”

In addition to Rinaldi’s roles at both the LIRR and Metro-North, she has served as MTA deputy executive director and general counsel, and chief of staff and counsel at MTA Headquarters.

As Interim president, Rinaldi will oversee the expansion of LIRR service. Most critically, this includes the opening of Long Island Rail Road service to Grand Central Terminal later this year, the culmination of the East Side Access project. This expansion also includes running new service made possible by the recent addition of a third track between Floral Park and Hicksville on the busy Main Line, increasing capacity to run trains in both directions throughout the day. Paired together, these investments enable more frequent service to more destinations, improving travel options for both Long Islanders and commuters throughout the region.

Rinaldi’s first day as interim LIRR president will be Saturday, Feb. 26.