LIRR changes up management amid concerns
The Long Island Rail Road Monday announced significant management changes, including some aimed at concerns over major projects such as the East Side Access link to Grand Central Terminal and at riders' complaints about service disruptions.
The announcement came on the same day that the LIRR's parent agency, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, got its new executive director, Joseph Lhota.
Raymond Kenny, who has served as the LIRR's senior vice president of operations for eight years, Monday took on the role of senior vice president of transportation and facilities planning. In the newly created title, Kenny will oversee the East Side Access project, as well as Amtrak's plan to replace all tracks inside the four East River tunnels that are primarily used by the LIRR, and the Port Authority's Moynihan Station project, which will affect LIRR riders at nearby Penn Station.
"The idea is to be able to balance the needs of the projects to get things done in a cost-efficient manner, while at the same time protecting our customers in terms of on-time performance and reliability," Kenny said.
Replacing Kenny as head of operations is 29-year LIRR veteran Mike Gelormino, who most recently worked as head of the railroad's equipment maintenance division.
In another change, Joe Calderone, LIRR senior vice president of market development and public affairs, will take on more duties, overseeing the railroad's customer service operations. A customer service call center will be created where LIRR riders will be able to speak with a representative who can directly address their concerns, Calderone said.
LIRR president Helena Williams said the change is part of a new initiative that includes the agency's recently released "pledge to riders" detailing the service customers can expect.
The customer service plan follows a public outcry over several major service disruptions during the past year, the majority caused by severe weather.
In other changes, Bill Norwich, who most recently headed the LIRR's East Side Access fleet and systems design team, replaces LIRR chief of staff Michael Capone, who is retiring. And Richard Gantt is taking over for Catherine Rinaldi as the railroad's general counsel. Rinaldi will become the new chief of staff for Lhota.
Lhota served his first day Monday as the MTA's executive director. His role as the agency's chairman is pending approval by the state Senate, which is not expected to resume until January.
"The MTA is the engine that drives our economy and makes our way of life possible here in New York, and we have a responsibility to operate our service as efficiently and effectively as possible," Lhota said in a statement.
