"The Chicago Region and Beyond 2026 Commuter Railroad Update"

Northwestern University Transportation Center invites you to attend:

The presentation will be held in the Metra Board of Director’s Room, 13th Floor, 547 W. Jackson Boulevard in Chicago. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Presentations begin at Noon. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation. Wrap-up is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Please bring your own lunch. Water and soft drinks will be provided. FOR SECURITY AND ADMITTANCE PURPOSES PLEASE REGISTER IN ADVANCE. THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THIS EVENT

Advance Registration Required - A government issued ID required to gain access to Metra Headquarters

Remote attendance also available

Speaker Bios:

James M. “Jim” Derwinski was named CEO/Executive Director of Metra in August 2017. In that role, he provides overall leadership and direction to all areas of Metra operations and administration to ensure that Metra achieves its vision, mission, goals, and objectives. Financial responsibility includes oversight of Metra’s budget, which totals more than $1 billion for operations and capital.

Mr. Derwinski had a long career in Metra’s Mechanical Department, culminating with his appointment as Chief Mechanical Officer, responsible for the repair, inspection, cleaning, and maintenance of nearly 1,200 railcars and locomotives. He was also in charge of Metra’s in-house railcar and locomotive rehabilitation programs, a contract for locomotive remanufacturing and the installation of Positive Train Control on cab cars and engines.

After a six-year stint in the U.S. Navy as an electrician on nuclear submarines, Mr. Derwinski began his railroad career as a locomotive electrician with the Chicago & North Western Railroad in 1993. He joined Metra as an electrician in 1997 and steadily rose through the ranks serving as a foreman, general foreman, shop superintendent, director of systems maintenance, locomotive superintendent, Rock Island division director and Milwaukee division director and then senior director of mechanical operations. He was named Chief Mechanical Officer in September 2013.

Dave Dech is the President of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD), bringing more than 30 years of experience in passenger and freight rail leadership. He previously served as Executive Director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, where he oversaw Tri Rail operations, delivered record ridership, and launched the Miami Link service into downtown Miami.

Before SFRTA, Dech was Vice President of Rail Operations for Capital Metro in Austin, leading major infrastructure projects, doubling freight throughput, and achieving 97% on time performance. His earlier career at CSX Transportation spanned more than two decades, progressing from locomotive engineer to senior executive roles overseeing passenger operations, major public private partnerships, and some of the railroad’s largest operating divisions.

Known for his collaborative leadership style and operational expertise, Dech has held national roles including Vice Chair of the Commuter Rail Coalition. He is a graduate of the Harvard Executive Leadership Program and has dedicated his career to advancing safe, reliable, and customer focused rail service. He and his wife of 30 years are the proud parents of four sons.

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Host or Publisher Northwestern University Transportation Center