Woodbridge, Va. — The man behind one of the most impressive railroad deals in history decided to call it quits.
Virginia Railway Express CEO Dale Zehner announced his retirement Wednesday from his job as head of the commonwealth’s only commuter railroad. He was the railroad’s first named CEO, and joined VRE in 1995 after a long career in the U.S. Navy.
When the railroad was founded in 1992, many thought its ridership would never reach 10,000 daily riders. Last year VRE doubled that number, marking all-time ridership and on-time performance records.
“In these rough economic times, the VRE Operations Board and management team have brought stability and credibility to VRE by making every dollar count, delivering on a promise to complete capital projects on time and under budget, and refusing to settle for anything less than world class service for our riders,” said Zehner in a press release.
Zehner, 65, oversaw many changes to the system over the years, including the addition of a 5 a.m. train on the Fredericksburg line that alleviated crowding on later morning trains, but he may be best remembered for purchasing 30 rail cars for an unheard of price.
In the middle of the last decade, at a time when VRE trains were packed to the gills, Zehner brokered a deal with a Chicago-area commuter railroad to purchase 30 used rail cars for $1 each. As part of the deal, VRE also paid to have the 40-year-old double decker cars refurbished and transported to Northern Virginia where they were put to use, said VRE spokesman Mark Roeber.
Originally hired as a manager of budget and finance at VRE, he also tackled jobs like planned, customer service, public affairs and marketing before being named Chief of Staff in 2001 and CEO in 2004.
Zehner will officially step down from his post June 30, which leaves VRE officials time to conduct what is expected to be a nationwide search for his replacement.
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FREE Leadership Sessions will be conducted at the George Mason University –Arlington Campus for High School Latinas. The program runs from Monday 7/15 through Friday 7/19 from 10:00AM to 3:00PM EST each day (1-week).
Las sesiones de liderazgo GRATUITAS se llevarán a cabo en el campus de George Mason University – Arlington para latinas de secundaria. El programa se desarrollará desde el lunes 15 de julio hasta el viernes 19 de julio, de 10:00 a.m. a 3:00 p.m. EST cada dĂa (1 semana).
Our goal is to equip students with the fundamentals of self-promotion and guide them in shaping their personal brand for future success. What sets this program apart is its integration of self-awareness activities and mentorship by seasoned professionals.
Sessions begin with a thorough assessment of leadership dynamics on July 15th, participants delve into the intricacies of personal branding and etiquette on July 16th, followed by practical guidance on crafting compelling LinkedIn profiles and resumes on July 17th. July 18th emphasizes the art of storytelling through personal statements, while July 19th culminates in portfolio presentations, allowing participants to showcase their newfound skills. The program concludes on July 20th with a memorable graduation ceremony, celebrating the accomplishments of the ELITE Academy’s graduates and their journey towards leadership excellence.
We are honored to have the Honorable Andrea O. Bailey of the Potomac District, along with the esteemed leadership of Prince William County, hosting our 4th Annual 5K Walk for Mental Health Awareness. This event is a testament to their commitment to educate, advocate for, and dispel myths and stigma surrounding mental illness.
Dust off your running or walking shoes, bring your pets, and move with us in this county-wide FREE event in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month on Saturday, May 18th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. This year’s theme is Movement: Moving for Your Mental Health.
We will walk along a scenic multi-purpose trail in a wooded setting with sufficient signage to meet the needs of the walkers at Locust Shade Park, 4701 Locust Shade Drive, Triangle, Virginia 22192.
