The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chair and CEO Janno Lieber today announced the appointment of Justin Vonashek to serve as President of MTA Metro-North Railroad. Vonashek will succeed Catherine Rinaldi, the 1st woman to lead the railroad, who is retiring after nearly seven years as Metro-North’s President.
Vonashek, who assumes the role on April 1, 2025, joined Metro-North as Vice President of System Safety in January 2016, part of the railroad’s push to improve safety following a series of incidents in 2013. He was elevated to Senior Vice President of Operations, overseeing critical operational functions in December 2020 and finally to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in September 2023, where he has managed all aspects of the railroad’s operations, including ensuring safety and operational excellence throughout the agency.
“Justin Vonashek has been a key player at Metro-North for years, helping the agency deliver sky high on-time performance and record customer satisfaction. We are fortunate to have such a seasoned executive ready to lead and make this transition a smooth one,” said MTA Chair & CEO Janno Lieber. “Cathy Rinaldi leaves big shoes to fill. There are not many people talented enough to run two of the busiest commuter railroads in the country – let alone at the same time — but she is one of them. We are grateful for her many years of exemplary service and wish her all the best in retirement.”
“I am honored that Janno has placed his confidence in me to lead one of the busiest commuter railroads in the country,” said incoming Metro-North Railroad President Justin Vonashek. “I am grateful to Cathy for her 20 years of service to the MTA and for her guidance over the years as we have worked together at Metro-North. I am excited for the challenges ahead and look forward to continuing to deliver the best service possible.”
Rinaldi leaves an impressive legacy at both Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road, where she served as interim president from February 2022 until October 2023. She is the first woman to serve as president of Metro-North.
As Metro-North president, she has overseen the best on-time performance in the railroad’s history, which stands at 98%, the fifth straight year it has exceed 97%. She led efforts to prioritize customer service and improve system reliability while continuing the intensive infrastructure work essential to maintaining system safety, including the opening of a brand-new maintenance and operations hub at Croton-on-Hudson and the installation of Positive Train Control.
During her tenure as interim president of the Long Island Rail Road, she oversaw the largest service increase in the Long Island Rail Road’s almost 200-year history that began with the opening of Grand Central Madison and the Main Line Third Track Project.
In addition to Rinaldi’s roles at both the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North, she has served as MTA Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel, and Chief of Staff and Counsel at MTA Headquarters. Rinaldi’s last day will be March 31, 2025.
Metro-North is the country’s second busiest railroad measured by ridership.
