Metrolink Announces New Executive Hire

Los Angeles - Today, Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle announced the addition of Frank Castellon as the agency's chief safety, security & compliance officer. The appointment is Kettle's fourth executive leadership selection as CEO of the region's premier passenger rail service.

"The safety of our service is fundamental, and it's with great regard that we welcome Frank to our leadership team," Kettle said. "As the backbone of the region's transportation system across six counties, we look forward to the vision and perspectives Frank will bring to this critical position at Metrolink."

Castellon brings more than 17 years of transit and systems safety experience. In his career, he has overseen and implemented programs that improved safety protocols and hazard recognition processes to achieve a proactive safety culture.

Castellon's previous railroad experience includes the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District (TriMet) in Portland, as director, safety and security; Phoenix Valley Metro as manager, safety and security; the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) as senior safety specialist; and Bombardier Transportation North American as regional manager, systems safety.

Most recently, Castellon was vice president of environmental, health, safety and quality for Peak Utility Service Group. There he was responsible for strategy and compliance of operations management, and fulfilment through governance, data analytics, strategic planning, and policy development.

Castellon holds multiple certifications including the Board of Certified Safety Professionals as a CSP as well as Federal Transit Administration Transit Safety & Security Practitioner. He has served as a member of American Public Transportation Association (APTA), USDOT Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS) & Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) safety and advisory panels as a subject matter expert. His work on an at-grade crossing risk ranking evaluation and technology study for passenger railroad safety and security resulted in grant funding while serving at TriMet.

Castellon holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health from Columbia Southern University where he is currently completing a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership.

About Metrolink (metrolinktrains.com)

Metrolink is Southern California's regional passenger rail service providing reliable, safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable transportation that connects people, communities and businesses to greater opportunity. The Agency's 538 miles of track and 62 stations across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties serve as an essential link in the region's mobility network, enabling people to connect to their jobs and explore all that the region has to offer. Prior to the pandemic, Metrolink had nearly 12 million annual boardings from people who choose to ride the train to avoid gridlock, removing an estimated 9.3 million vehicles from the roads and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 130,000 metric tons each year with its fleet of Tier 4 locomotives.