Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chair and CEO Janno Lieber announced that Justin Vonashek has been appointed president of MTA Metro-North Railroad. Vonashek will succeed Catherine Rinaldi.
Rinaldi was the first woman to lead the railroad and is retiring after nearly seven years. Vonashek takes over the railroad’s leadership on April 1.
Vonashek joined Metro-North as vice president of system safety in January 2016, part of the railroad’s push to improve safety following a series of incidents in 2013. He was elevated to senior vice president of operations, overseeing critical operational functions in December 2020 and executive vice president and chief operating officer in September 2023, where he has managed all aspects of the railroad’s operations, including ensuring safety and operational excellence throughout the agency.
