Stadler US named Lauren Cochran its new head of sales and business development, North America.

Cochran will lead all commercial aspects of Stadler’s business to support its expansion in the North American market.

“Stadler has demonstrated unmatched commitment to its customers through quality, safety, and investment in cutting-edge technology including hydrogen and battery trains,” said Cochran via her LinkedIn page. “I’m looking forward to this new ride. Let’s roll!”

Cochran Bringing Experience to Stadler

Previously, Cochran served as VP, North American sales, at Proterra Inc.

However, her career in transit spans back to 2009, when she joined West Covina, Calif.’s Foothill Transit as a sr. operations analyst. During her tenure at Foothill Transit, Cochran co-led the implementation of 100% battery-electric buses, which was the first commercial deployment of modern, purpose-built electric transit buses in North America.

As a researcher at the Texas Transportation Institute after leaving Foothill, she partnered with the Texas DOT to launch the first automated and connected vehicle proving ground transportation for public transit, before landing at Houston METRO where she served as director, contracted operations, and later director of innovation.

In 2017, Cochran joined Proterra, where she enthusiastically helped agencies make the transition to zero-emission vehicles.

“We’re all part of nature, whether we think of ourselves as an environmental advocate or not,” Cochran told METRO Magazine last year. “I feel deeply rooted to natural spaces and am happiest outside. Zero-emission transportation is a key lever to reduce emissions from this sector to help the broader fight to protect this incredible planet, our only home.”

Stadler’s Experience

Stadler, a provider of mobility solutions in rail vehicle construction, service, and signaling, has its corporate headquarters in Bussnang, Switzerland and US headquarters in Salt Lake City. It has a workforce of around 14,000 based in various production and engineering locations as well as more than 80 service locations.

The company’s product range in the field of mainline railways and city transport includes high-speed trains, intercity trains, regional and suburban trains, metros, tramways, and trams. Stadler also manufactures mainline locomotives, shunting locomotives, and passenger carriages.