LOS ANGELES– Today, Metrolink announced the appointment of Don Filippi as its new director, system safety & security. Prior to this appointment, Filippi was the chief operating officer for rail of the North County Transit District in Oceanside, Calif.

As director, Filippi will be responsible for ensuring a safe and secure environment for rail passengers, employees and the community, and maintaining partnerships with federal and local law enforcement.

“Don will provide leadership and oversight to advance Metrolink’s commitment to its industry-leading safety culture,” said Interim co-Chief Executive Officer Ronnie Campbell.

Filippi will lead Metrolink initiatives to develop and implement safety measures systemwide to enhance Metrolink’s safety performance and organizational culture. He will also oversee programs to prevent and respond to train incidents.

Filippi has 24 years of experience in transportation. He served for five years at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), rising to the position of superintendent, transit operations and safety section, and 14 years with Union Pacific Railroad, starting as a conductor and rising to manager of operations.

Filippi studied criminal justice at Lane College in Eugene, Ore. and business development at the University of California, San Diego.

He starts his duties on Dec. 17.

For more information about Metrolink, please visit www.metrolinktrains.com.

ABOUT METROLINK (www.metrolinktrains.com)

Metrolink is Southern California's regional commuter rail service in its 26th year of operation. Metrolink is governed by The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA), a joint powers authority made up of an 11-member board representing the transportation commissions of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. Metrolink operates seven routes through a six-county, 538 route-mile network. Metrolink’s passengers travel approximately 441 million miles each year, making Metrolink the second busiest public transportation provider in Southern California. Metrolink is the third largest commuter rail agency in the United States based on directional route miles and the eighth largest based on annual ridership.

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