The board of Southern California-based regional commuter rail service Metrolink voted to appoint Michael P. DePallo, a veteran transit leader with over 30 years of experience, as CEO.

DePallo currently serves as Director and GM for the Port Authority Trans Hudson Corporation (PATH), a heavy rail subsidiary of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey that transports over 250,000 passenger trips a day between Manhattan and neighboring New Jersey.

"After a thorough national search, I am confident Michael is the right person to lead Metrolink as it continues to build on progress made in recent years. He has a proven record on safety, leadership and has recently overseen his agency's efforts to modernize their fleet of railcars," said Metrolink Board Chair Richard Katz. "He is familiar with the complex issues that a commuter rail provider faces; that safety is foundational, customer service, funding issues, connectivity and security. In his current role, he is overseeing projects very similar to Metrolink's Positive Train Control, Guardian cars, locomotive upgrades and fare media issues. We look forward to his leadership."

DePallo led PATH to record ridership in 2011 after it plummeted in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He chairs the Security Affairs Steering Committee for APTA. Prior to PATH, DePallo held leadership positions at many of the largest passenger rail operations in the nation, such as Oakland, Calif.'s Bay Area Rapid Transit District, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

DePallo received his master's degree at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, specializing in transportation and land-use planning. He will join Metrolink on Oct. 15, 2012.