Bonnie Murphy, a former commuter rail executive and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) official, will become President/CEO of Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI) in late January, OLI Board Chair Bill Barringer announced.

“Bonnie’s expertise in the rail industry, her deep understanding of safety issues and track record of accomplishing organizational goals will advance Operation Lifesaver’s mission to prevent collisions, injuries and fatalities on and around railroad tracks and highway-rail grade crossings,” said Barringer. “She brings extensive leadership experience to the position, as well as familiarity with the responsibilities of state Operation Lifesaver programs from her work with the FRA.”

Murphy is a veteran of both the railroad industry and the federal government with 30 years of professional railroad experience and 10 years of executive-level government experience.

Currently a consultant with engineering and technology services firm CDI Corp., Murphy was previously GM with the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail (MBCR), the nation’s fifth-largest commuter rail system. From 2003 to 2013, before joining MBCR, Murphy served with the FRA as regional administrator for the Southwest, based in Texas, and later as deputy associate administrator for safety compliance and program implementation in Washington, D.C.

Before her tenure with the FRA, Murphy was director and chief operating officer of Trinity Rail Express, the commuter rail service between Fort Worth and Dallas. She began her career with Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, serving as general supervisor and assistant transportation manager in Chicago, transportation manager in San Jose, Calif., and senior transportation manager in Oceanside, Calif.

“Ninety-five percent of all rail-related deaths involve drivers at a railroad crossing or a person on the tracks. I am excited about the opportunity to address these critical public safety issues, and I look forward to joining the Operation Lifesaver team,” said Murphy.