FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Doug Christy
Executive
Director
419 Talmage Road Suite M
Phone:
707 463-3280
Fax:
707 463-3282
Ukiah, CA–
May 7. 2003 – The North Coast Railroad Authority (NCRA) announced today that
they have accepted the resignation of Executive Director Douglas Christy.
“Over
the past two years Doug has made a tremendous impact on the NCRA. As a veteran
of the rail industry he brought a great deal of experience from the private
sector, and his services couldn’t have been more timely
in our recent need to restructure,” said NCRA Chairman
Over
$41million dollars in State transportation funding programmed for the reopening
of the railroad has been frozen due to the State budget crisis. This
necessitated a major strategic shift in NCRA’s reopening strategy. “Doug has
been invaluable in this on going process. He recently worked with FEMA and the
California Office of Emergency Services to create an alternate project which
will enable re-opening of the south end of the rail,” continued Sears. “His
enthusiasm and expertise will be greatly missed.”
“The
purpose of the NCRA has always been to provide service to the national rail
grid”, said Dan Hauser, one of the authors of the legislation that created the
NCRA. ”One of the things I have learned, as a State Legislator, past Executive
Director of the NCRA, and presently City Manager Of Arcata, is that the downs
are always followed by ups. However bleak things may look now, by putting the
northern section of the line on hold, the eventual return of rail service is a
must.”
“The
current need to retrench, with the emphasis of the south end, is regrettable,
said
Christy
has accepted a senior position with Schneider National in their Intermodal
division and will be relocating to
“My
wife and I have enjoyed our time in
The NCRA Board of
Directors will begin work immediately in developing a transition plan to fill
Mr. Christy’s vacancy at a special NCRA Board meeting to be held on Friday, May
9th in
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