Caltrain’s Bouchard named chair of Commuter Rail Coalition

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Michelle Bouchard, executive director of Caltrain, has been elected chair of the Commuter Rail Coalition’s board of directors as part of a new leadership team announced this week by the national advocacy group for commuter rail agencies and operators.

Bouchard, who previously served as the coalition’s vice chair, helped lead Caltrain’s $2.4 billion electrification project and brings more than 25 years of transit industry experience to her new role. She succeeds Mike Noland, president of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, who reached his term limit along with outgoing treasurer Joe Yesbeck of T.Y. Lin International.

The new board, effective July 1 and serving through 2027, includes five executive committee members and six at-large members representing both operating agencies and private-sector affiliates.

In a statement, CRC CEO KellyAnne Gallagher praised the incoming board’s “dynamic” makeup and emphasized the importance of strong leadership as commuter rail systems nationwide confront looming funding shortfalls.

“Commuter railroads form the backbones of communities across the country, providing safe and sustainable transportation that delivers clear return on investment,” Gallagher said. “Our new leadership will set the tone for nationwide advocacy and engagement.”

Among CRC’s top policy priorities are expanding eligibility for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program to include commuter railroads, and resolving longstanding issues with excess liability insurance in the sector.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with rail leaders from across the country to find sustainable funding sources that ensure we continue serving millions of riders for years to come,” Bouchard said.

Noland, who led CRC during a period of growing visibility in Washington, said he was proud of the group’s six-year track record of advocacy. “We’ve made our case to Congress loud and clear on the solutions needed to keep commuter rail on the tracks,” he said.

2025–27 CRC Executive Committee

Chair: Michelle Bouchard, Caltrain
Vice Chair: Dave Dech, South Florida Regional Transportation Authority
Secretary: Darren Kettle, Metrolink
Treasurer: Gabriel Lopez-Bernal, Icomera North America
Affiliate Member Representative: Otis Tolbert, Aon

2025–27 CRC Members-at-Large

Kathryn Holmes, Holmes & Associates
Phil Eng, MBTA
Rob Free, Long Island Rail Road
Dee Leggett, Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Jon McDonald, Hatch
Rich Andreski, Trinity Metro