M-1 Rail hires CFO, adds 8 new members to Board
DETROIT—The 3.3-mile circulating streetcar along Woodward Avenue received clearance to proceed from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). This week, M-1 Rail President and CEO Matthew P. Cullen announced the appointment of eight new members to the groups board of directors. Jeni Norman is the new Chief Financial Officer. Norman was Senior Manager with the Audit and Assurance Department of The Rehmann Group. As CFO, Norman will lead the project’s Finance Committee; implement near and long-term finance strategies; manage the capital project and operating budgets; and ensure compliance with all funding requirements of federal, state and local funding agencies. She begins in early May.
According to media reports, the FTA has completed the environmental clearance for the Woodward Avenue Streetcar Project. The project is allowed to move forward to the next phases of design, which include right of way acquisition and construction. This is the last approval step under the National Environmental Policy Act process.
“On behalf of the entire M-1Rail team and our community partners, I would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the FTA for confirming the streetcar project complies with National Environmental Policy Act and Federal transit laws,” said Cullen in a press statement. He additionally thanked the Michigan Department of Transportaion, the City of Detroit and supporters of the project.
Cullen’s announcements come two weeks after hiring a Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Governmental and Community Affairs.
Board of Directors
- Dave Blaszkiewicz, President and CEO, Downtown Detroit Partnership-
- Darrell Burks, Retired Senior Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Jared Fleisher, Attorney, Patton Boggs
- Sarah McClelland, President, Michigan Market, J.P. Morgan Chase
- Mike McLauchlan, Vice President, Government Relations, Illitch Holdings, Inc.
- Susan Mosey, President, Midtown Detroit, Inc.
- Faye Nelson, President and CEO, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
- Robert Riney, President and Chief Operating Officer, Henry Ford Health System
Blaszkiewicz has been elected Secretary of the Board and Burks has been elected Treasurer.
The M-1 Board of Directors has 14 members, including these additions.
Amended Record of Decision
The Amended Record of Decision is available for review at www.mi.gov/woodwardstreetcar and at designated locations in Wayne, Oakland and Ingham counties, including: Detroit Public Library Main Branch, 5201 Woodward Ave., and its branch locations at 3666 Grand River Ave., 1766 Oakman Blvd., 121 Gratiot Ave., 2507 W. Grand Blvd., 1221 E. Seven Mile Rd., and 7117 W. Seven Mile Rd; The Detroit Department of Transportation Office, 1301 E. Warren Ave and The City of Highland Park Offices, 12050 Woodward Ave.