LOS ANGELES — Metrolink, Southern California’s regional passenger rail provider, has elevated Tom Schamber to the role of chief financial officer, effective immediately. A seasoned leader with nearly three decades of strategic management experience in accounting, audit and financial operations, Schamber has been a driving force at the agency since 2016 and has led the department in an interim capacity since April 2025.

“Tom has been instrumental in strengthening Metrolink’s financial position and ensuring we’re making smart, strategic decisions for our riders and the region,” Metrolink Chief Executive Officer Darren Kettle said. “His expertise, dedication and genuine commitment to public service make him the right leader to shape our financial future.”

As CFO, Schamber oversees all aspects of Metrolink’s financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, contracts, procurement, grants, payroll and reporting. He sets the vision for the department’s goals and priorities in alignment with Metrolink’s strategic plan and ensures that financial considerations are integrated into agency-wide decision-making. Schamber directs the annual budget process, allocates resources to meet service needs, and guides investments toward projects that enhance the customer experience and advance Metrolink’s role in the region. He is also responsible for making internal processes more efficient, transparent and effective, including identifying opportunities for innovation that improve performance and support long-term sustainability.

“Over nearly a decade with Metrolink, I’ve seen firsthand the impact that strong fiscal stewardship can have in turning ambitious goals into tangible results,” Schamber said. “Together with our leadership team, I am committed to ensuring the agency’s growth and financial health while delivering the best possible service as a vital connector benefiting communities across Southern California.”

After joining Metrolink as a general accounting manager, Schamber was quickly promoted to the position of controller, assuming all high-level and managerial accounting-related activities. He was named director of grants in 2020; under his leadership, Metrolink has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in federal, state and local funds to support the completion of critical projects and initiatives. Schamber previously held progressively senior roles across several public, nonprofit and financial institutions, including the City of Santa Monica, Lane Transit District, the University of Oregon Foundation, the Educational Policy Improvement Center, Foster Farms, Moss Adams LLP and Isler CPA. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Oregon and is a Certified Public Accountant through the Oregon Board of Accountancy.