Texas Central names new CEO

Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
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The Texas Central Partners, LLC (Texas Central) Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Carlos F. Aguilar as the new CEO of Texas Central and its subsidiaries, effective Dec. 12.  

Representatives say the appointment is a step forward in efforts to build the nation’s first high-speed train.

Texas Central is the private Texas-based company developing the nation’s first high-speed passenger train connecting North Texas and Houston, with a midway stop in the Brazos Valley. The company’s market-led approach is backed by private investors, not government grants, which representatives note as a new business model for infrastructure projects.

The announcement marks Texas Central’s movement forward from the project development stage to the planning, engineering and construction phase. Throughout the past two years, Texas Central says it has been carrying out the necessary environmental, design, engineering, field studies and related work as part of the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement. Representatives say discussions have also taken place with the FRA components responsible for safety and technology issues.

Aguilar previously served as a senior vice president at CH2M Hill, a global engineering company, and has a background in industrial and infrastructure work.

Throughout the past 16 months, Tim Keith has served as the company’s CEO, and managed the development phase of the project, including planning, government

relations, public and business community engagement, regulatory processes and the raising of equity capital. Keith will continue with Texas Central as the company’s president, focusing on capital markets and financing, operations and external affairs. Keith will report to Aguilar.

“I’m proud to be part of this innovative project with the tremendous progress we have made and look forward to partnering with Carlos and using his experience to accelerate the pace of the overall project development,” Keith said.

Richard Lawless, chairman of the Texas Central board, says Aguilar’s construction management and engineering experience makes him an “ideal fit” for Texas Central as the company moves forward with the project.

“He has proven a leadership record in the management of large-scale infrastructure projects and has excelled in the energy, transportation and rail industries,” Lawless said. “We look forward to his many contributions as we continue to set the pace on providing a new and much-needed transportation alternative.”

Aguilar describes the Texas Central project as “a once in a lifetime opportunity to develop the country’s first true high-speed train.”

“I look forward to leveraging the great team in place and excited to be a part of it,” he added. “This is a project that not only will address the state’s growing transportation demands but also will provide an economic catalyst and jobs in local communities for generations to come.”

Aguilar received his bachelor’s of science degree in engineering, mechanical engineering and materials science from Duke University, as well as his master of science degree and a doctor of philosophy degree in technological economics from the University of Stirling in Scotland.

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