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People News: DART, RDC, Stucki, TransLink

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Pictured (left to right): Jenny Barket, DART; William J. Duggan, RDC (ret.); Michael Scott Driggers, Stucki; and Michel Ladrak, BCRTC, an operating division of TransLink in metro Vancouver.

Pictured (left to right): Jenny Barket, DART; William J. Duggan, RDC (ret.); Michael Scott Driggers, Stucki; and Michel Ladrak, BCRTC, an operating division of TransLink in metro Vancouver.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) appointed Jenny Barket as Chief of Staff. Also, Railroad Development Corporation (RDC) Vice President of Operations William J. Duggan retired; A. Stucki Company named Michael Scott Driggers Division President of Freight; and Michel Ladrak will step down as President and General Manager of British Columbia Rapid Transit Company (BCRTC), an operating division of TransLink.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)

Jenny Barket will join DART on May 15 as a senior advisor to President and CEO Nadine Lee.

She was previously a director at engineering and professional services firm WSP USA, working on projects such as the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)-Silicon Valley Phase II Extension, Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission SunRail Transition Study, and New Jersey Transit Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Extension. Barket has also served as legal counsel to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District.

“We are thrilled that Jenny will join DART as the Chief of Staff,” said Nadine Lee, who took on the agency’s top job last summer. “Her impressive leadership style, comprehensive experience, knowledge of the public transportation industry and strategic understanding of operations will bring DART to a whole new level of service for the DFW region.”

Railroad Development Corporation (RDC)

William J. “Bill” Duggan on March 31 retired from RDC, a railway investment and management company based in Pittsburgh, Pa. He began his railroading career as a motor car repairman’s helper on the Illinois Central in 1966; his work there was interrupted by two tours of duty with the “Brown Water Navy” in Vietnam. Duggan also served the Iowa Interstate (IAIS) before joining RDC, where he was President of Ferrovías Guatemala (FVG) and a Board Member of RDC Deutschland, among other positions.

“Bill Duggan had an impressive railroad career that spanned over five decades,” RDC President Bob Pietrandrea said. “His in-depth knowledge of railway engineering and operations allowed him to have an impact on numerous domestic and international railways. His skills and contributions to the industry will be greatly missed.”

“RDC has benefited from Bill’s extensive knowledge, but more importantly his wisdom, in many environments and many cultures,” RDC Chairman Henry Posner III said. “His contributions include his service in Guatemala, his key role in the due diligence that led to what is now Peru’s Ferrocarril Central Andino, and his leadership in the structuring of RDC Deutschland. Perhaps most important was his time as Chief Engineer and then VP-Operations of Iowa Interstate; he kept the railroad running through tough times and this accomplishment earned him the respect of both his colleagues and the industry.”

On June 30, 2020, IAIS dedicated the William J. Duggan bridge in his honor.)

“In 1989, when the Chief Engineer at Iowa Interstate Railroad retired, I called Bill to see if he had an interest in leaving the Illinois Central and coming back to Iowa,” Retired IAIS Vice Chairman Denny Miller said. “Ironically, he agreed and thus began the adventure. He was just what the railroad needed at that time to make things work on a ‘shoestring budget.’ His ability in engineering and track maintenance was eventually expanded worldwide after moving on to IAIS’ parent company RDC. When someone spends 55-plus years in the industry, you know they enjoyed the work; now it’s time to enjoy the retirement!”

A. Stucki Company

As Stucki’s Division President of Freight, Michael Scott Driggers will support original equipment manufacturing and reconditioned freight car parts and services. He will be based at company headquarters in Moon Township, Pa.

Driggers has more than 20 years of senior management experience, and served most recently as President and CEO of Cathcart Rail in Columbus, Ohio; he had been President and CEO of Appalachian Railcar Services before its acquisition by Cathcart. He has also worked for Trinity Industries and GATX.

“Scott’s servant leadership style and solid leadership experience align him with our commitment to safety, quality, profitability and respect for people,” Stucki Chief Operating Officer Ray Patterson said. “He will play an integral role in helping us achieve our business and strategic goals.”

SkyTrain, part of British Columbia Rapid Transit Corporation (BCRTC), an operating division of TransLink

At BCRTC, President and General Manager Michel Ladrak has decided to “pursue another opportunity closer to home in Europe,” TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn reported on April 5. Mike Richard, Vice President of Operations at BCRTC, will take over as interim leader on June 11, while the Board of Directors seeks a permanent successor.

“During his tenure, Ladrak’s leadership has made a tremendous impact on BCRTC, most notably through his work to strengthen BCRTC’s employee and safety culture,” said Quinn, who joined TransLink in July 2021. “He has worked hard to move the organization forward during these extraordinary times by prioritizing the continuous development of leaders. Thanks to this commitment, he is leaving both SkyTrain and West Coast Express in a better position for future renewal and expansion.

“Ladrak’s decision to work closer to home is personal, and we wish him all the best on his new career path. While, we are sad to see him go, we understand and support his decision.”

Ladrak came to BCRTC in August 2019 following service as Managing Director for Auckland (New Zealand) Transport Rail, managed by Transdev. He began his career in the Netherlands, where he grew up, and worked for the Dutch Railways, preparing the company’s cross-border services under the European Rail Traffic Management System, and leading the team that introduced the Netherlands’ first high-speed rail service.

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