WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Virginia Railway Express CEO Rich Dalton, who has led the commuter operation since 2019, has announced plans to retire effective Oct. 3, 2025.
Dalton announced his retirement plans at the VRE Operations Board meeting on June 20.
Dalton joined VRE in 2009 as Chief Operating Officer, although he had been involved with the agency through his previous work at locomotive manufacturer Morrison-Knudsen since 1992. In his 16 years at VRE, Dalton oversaw such milestones as implementation of positive train control and the 2015 extension of service to Spotsylvania County. He became interim CEO in 2019 and was appointed to the position on a permanent basis the following year.
“If nothing else, Rich’s legacy would be a legacy of safety,” board chair Sarah Bagley said at Friday’s meeting, in comments reported by the Virginia Mercury news site “I think that’s a legacy we’re very proud of, is the role that you have placed in making sure everybody is as safe as they can be with your organization.”
The VRE Operations Board will form a search and selection committee to find a new CEO.
VRE serves 19 stations on two lines from Washington Union Station. More information is available on its website.
