What do we know about David Hughes? What jobs did he hold prior to Amtrak? What is the informed speculation on what he is liable to do?
George
America indeed needs to “move forward.” But more than just policy, we need a constitutional ammendment preserving our right to safe and comfortable transportation. Amtrak should become what its name implies: an American system of tracks. Then, a kinder and gentler private operator could offer intercity rail service.
…By Googling the name of David Hughes the only info I saw was…An accoustic guitarist.
I also tried Google search of Hughes and could find nothing resembling a biography. Apparently he is no kind of public figure, and will probably serve as a D.O.T./ Amtrak board figurehead until they can recruit a new CEO more amenable to the dissolution and privitization policy of the Mineta Bush DOT.
I do wonder if he was Chief Engineer also under Warrington and did he oversee the engineering debacle of the Acela? I certainly hope not for Amtrak’s sake.
Maybe there is no David Hughes… That’s just the name they gave to the puppet!
CC
Hughes was hired by Gunn. Saw a bio somewhere but don’t recall the details other than he is an experience railroader. I doubt that he has Gunn’s financial savvy, but that doesn’t make him a bad guy, and he took the train out to the west coast so it would appear that he is comfortable moving among the troops. Not certain whether he will get the job on a permanent basis. Amtrak Chairman Laney said they will do a search, but finding someone with the will to go through the battles of bringing about any changes desired by the present administration, while keeping the thing from falling apart? Good luck.
Jay