Metrolink CEO Brief – September 20, 2019
Ronnie Campbell Nominated as CFO of the Year
Metrolink’s Chief Financial Officer Ronnie Campbell has been nominated for CFO of the Year by the Los Angeles Business Journal (LABJ).
Ronnie is recognized for having increased Metrolink’s balance sheet by $43 million and improved cash flow through spending controls and improvements.
Ronnie joined Metrolink in 2016. He began his career in financial management while working for the San Diego Housing Commission and then the City of Lakewood, where he served as assistant director of Administrative Services for more than 11 years. Prior to joining Metrolink, Campbell was the director of finance for the City of Camarillo.
Ronnie is an active member of his church in Long Beach, where he sings in the choir and works with the finance team and the board of directors.
There is no better CFO anywhere and we’re pulling for him to win the award, which will be announced at the LABJ 13th annual CFO Awards dinner Thursday, Sept. 26.
Celebrities Lending Thier Voices to Metrolink Cares
Cedric the Entertainer
We’ve been talking about them, now we’re hearing them. TV star Cedric the Entertainer and NFL Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson are being heard on trains systemwide, as Guest Train Conductors and to support important charitable causes, including Metrolink Cares.
Cedric, who stars in the CBS TV series “The Neighborhood,” supports organizations such as the American Heart Association (AHA) through his Kyles Family Foundation. AHA is also a beneficiary of Metrolink Cares.
“I’m speaking to you as part of the Metrolink Cares program, where this purpose-driven agency is supporting causes that improve the lives of the people in the communities they serve,” he said.
Metrolink Cares supports organizations that help people in the communities we serve.
Eric Dickerson
Former Rams Eric Dickerson recorded a message encouraging football fans to take Metrolink trains to Rams home games at the Coliseum. He also introduces riders to a charity he co-founded, the Young Warriors Foundation, that provides mentors to at-risk youth.
"I understand the importance of presenting underserved young men with positive, confident and poised role models to learn from and model themselves after,” Dickerson said. “Metrolink Cares supports causes that improve lives for the people in communities we serve.”
I am thankful to these celebrities for lending us their voices for these worthy organizations.
Paving the Way for New Technology
I had the honor this week of attending and learning from some of the top tech experts in our industry at the APTAtech Transportation Technology Conference in Columbus, Ohio. Technology is a passion and I spoke on a panel of other CEOs about the role of executives in advancing new innovations within an organization.
The panel was moderated by APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas and fellow panelists were Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority CEO Mark Donaghy, Jacksonville Transpiration Authority CEO Nathaniel P. Ford, Sr and AC Transit General Manager Michael Hursh.
I was asked about our experience and I explained that Metrolink’s Board and staff embraces technologies that help us achieve our goals of safety and security, an integrated system and modernizing business practices.
Examples are the installation and implementation of PTC with its reliance of GPS technology, wayside signals and on-board computers. To create an integrated system, we have our mobile app for purchasing tickets featuring a QR code that activates gates on the Metro system. And for modernized business practices, we are in the process of digitizing our board meeting, agenda items and review system using a technology platform.
It was an exciting meeting filled with ideas that may help guide own technology plan going forward.