People News: ACTA, Caterpillar

Graham Christie (left), COO, ACTA; and Jason Kaiser (right), Group President of E&T, Caterpillar.

The Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA) appoints Graham Christie as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Also, Caterpillar Inc. appoints Jason Kaiser as Group President of the company’s Energy & Transportation (E&T) segment.

ACTA

ACTA’s Governing Board on Dec. 14 announced that it has appointed Graham Christie, a Southern California rail leader and project manager, as COO.

“Graham provides more than 30 years of highly valued experience and leadership in the rail industry, particularly in California,” said ACTA CEO Michael Leue. “He is a seasoned engineer who has been a project manager for more than 100 critically needed and complex rail projects and programs—including high-speed, commuter and freight rail systems. This background and proven success make Graham the ideal choice as COO.”

The addition of a COO to ACTA’s leadership structure was the result of an analysis of the Authority’s operation. The study, ACTA says, “determined the need to add this position to oversee certain critical functions of the intergovernmental agency that is responsible for the operation of a highly efficient rail route serving the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, the nation’s largest and busiest port complex.” The appointment of Christie is the result of a nationwide executive search by Shey-Harding Associates, which contacted and evaluated dozens of professionals through an assertive effort to ensure diversity in this outreach.

Christie comes to ACTA after a 10-year career at HTNB. He previously worked at RailPros Inc. and AECOM. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California-Davis and is a licensed Civil Engineer in California.

“I’m honored by this appointment and as a Southern California resident, I look forward to assisting one of the region’s most important rail authorities,” said Christie. “Much of my career has been spent in planning, engineering design, construction management and interfacing with train operators and tenant railroads on projects that involve construction in a live railroad environment. At ACTA, I will also utilize my lengthy experience in coordinating construction activities with adjacent projects and key stakeholders—such as utility owners, freight railroad owners, local jurisdictions, the California Public Utilities Commission and the Federal Railroad Administration. I am very excited to be part of the ACTA team.”

Caterpillar

Caterpillar on Dec. 14 announced that Jason Kaiser, Senior Vice President of the company’s Electric Power Division, has been appointed as Group President of the E&T segment, effective, Jan. 1, 2024.

In this role, Kaiser will be responsible for the company’s Rail Division, Solar Turbines, Large Power Systems Division, Industrial Power Systems Division, Electric Power Division (EPD), Caterpillar Oil & Gas and Marine Division (COGMD), Cat Reman® and Electrification and Energy Solutions Division.

“Jason’s extensive experience in engineering, product management and operations makes him well-suited to lead our Energy & Transportation segment,” said Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Jim Umpleby. “Jason leads with our Values at the forefront and will continue to make a positive impact within E&T and across our broader Caterpillar team.”

Since joining Caterpillar in 2000, Kaiser has held numerous roles in engineering, sales and operations with increasing responsibility across the electric power business.

Kaiser graduated from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.