NEW YORK — Catherine Rinaldi, the president of Metro-North Railroad, is about to become the president of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s other commuter railroad, as well.
MTA CEO Janno Lieber announced Thursday that he has appointed Rinaldi as interim president of the Long Island Railroad, effective Feb. 26, succeeding the retiring Phillip Eng. Rinaldi will continue to serve as president of Metro-North, a position she has held since 2018.
“Cathy Rinaldi is a proven leader with nearly 20 years of experience at the MTA, having served in leadership positions at headquarters and both commuter railroads,” Lieber said in an announcement at Grand Central Terminal. “At Metro-North, she has led efforts to improve system reliability, achieve excellent customer service, and continue the intensive infrastructure work essential to maintaining system safety. She has great relations with labor, has the respect of her staff and puts the customer first.
Rinaldi was vice president and general counsel at the LIRR from 2008 to 2011. She has also served as MTA deputy executive director and general counsel, and chief of staff anc counsel at MTA headquarters.
“I want to thank Janno for the confidence that he’s putting in me by giving me this unbelievable opportunity and this unbelievable challenge,” Rinaldi said. “I’m very grateful for it. I’m very grateful to be able to serve in this way and excited for the challenges ahead.”
Eng has been LIRR president since 2018, after serving as chief operating officer and acting president of New York City Transit. He joined the MTA in 2017.
