The Virginia Railway Express announced that Katie Choe will assume the position of CEO effective Jan. 20, 2026.
Choe, who was appointed to the position by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) and the Potomac Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC), will lead the railway that connected Northern and Central Virginia to Washington, D.C.’s urban area.
Choe replaces the railway’s former CEO, Rich Dalton, who retired at the beginning of October. Officials said Choe has more than two decades of program management and safety oversight leadership in the transportation sector. Most recently, she served as the Chief of Staff to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Prior to that she served as chief engineer for the City of Boston Public Works, and as a program manager at Massport, the Massachusetts Port Authority.
“The VRE Operations Board believes Ms. Choe is uniquely qualified as VRE’s next CEO,” said VRE Operations Board Chair and City of Alexandria Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley, continuing, “Her record of delivering transformative results for organizations through innovative, safety-oriented, and people-first leadership reflects the core values held dear at VRE.”
Choe will take the helm of VRE as the railway prepares to increase service and expand beyond commuter-focused rail, and to position itself as a regional rail network. Earlier this year, VRE adopted its 2050 Service Plan and Vision. This year also saw a multi-billion dollar investment in the region’s rail infrastructure through Virginia’s Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative.
VRE will implement its first-ever weekend and late-night service, and will increase bi-directional service. The planned system improvements are a response to shifting passenger needs while bolstering economic growth for Northern Virginia and the surrounding area.
“I am honored to join VRE at such a significant moment for regional mobility. VRE plays a critical role in connecting communities and supporting economic growth across Northern and Central Virginia and the greater Washington region. I look forward to working alongside our talented staff and partners to enhance the rider experience, deliver transformative capital projects, and build VRE into the first choice for regional transportation in Northern and Central Virginia,” Choe said.