John E. Fenton

Prior to his current role, Mr. Fenton served as CEO of Metrolink, the nation’s third largest heavy rail commuter rail agency with over 500 route miles in six Southern California counties. Metrolink operates 165-trains in the high density greater Los Angeles area carrying over 40,000 passenger daily. It was during his tenure at Metrolink that Mr. Fenton played a pivotal role in leading the national implementation of the first Positive Train Control (PTC) system mandated by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.

Mr. Fenton’s other prominent senior leadership roles include President and CEO of OmniTRAX, a private railroad and transportation company with international holdings in short line railroads, terminals, ports and industrial real estate; and various senior level positions for international trucking giant Waste Management Inc., including Vice President of Operations and Vice President of Service Design.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Fenton held leadership positions with several Class 1 railroads, including Canadian National Railway, Kansas City Southern Railway, and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (now BNSF). He started his railroad career in 1982 as a management trainee with Missouri Pacific Railroad and later moved to Union Pacific Railroad after the merger with Missouri Pacific.

In 2013, Mr. Fenton was appointed by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood to sit on the prestigious “National Freight Advisory Committee” (NFAC) to assist the Secretary in shaping U.S. transportation policy. His other significant board and appointed positions include: Member, Board of Directors Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce; METRANS/USC Transportation research board advisory position; State of California Mobility 21, 2010 board member; the University of Michigan Educational Advisory Board Member; and Grand Trunk Railway Board of Directors.

Mr. Fenton holds a Master of Science in Systems Management (MSSM) from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Transportation Management from Indiana University. He is also a member of the Association of American Railroad Superintendents and is a military veteran with service in the United States Navy.