Dech named president of Northern Indiana commuter-rail district

By Jeff Stagl, Managing Editor

A leadership change has been finalized and will be carried out soon at the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD). The operator of a 90-mile commuter-rail line between Millennium Station in downtown Chicago and South Bend International Airport in South Bend, Indiana, has chosen David Dech to succeed Michael Noland as president.

Dech will take the reins on March 16. Most recently, Dech served as executive director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA), which operates the Tri-Rail commuter-rail system. He joined the authority in August 2022.

Dech has 30 years of freight- and passenger-rail experience, including the design, construction and opening of rail yards. He began his railroad career at CSX as a switchman. After serving in several senior management positions over the years, he became vice president of rail operations for the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority in Austin, Texas, in early 2018.

During his stint as SFRTA’s leader, Dech oversaw the completion of Tri-Rail expanding service into downtown Miami and refocused the authority’s efforts to enhance the customer experience on the South Florida Rail Corridor. In July 2024, he helped incorporate Tri-Rail’s first-ever express train service, with a one-seat ride in and out of MiamiCentral Station.

Noland — who became NICTD’s president in October 2014 — plans to retire. His last day at the agency will be March 15, ending his more than three-decade-long career in the rail industry. Noland oversaw the $944 million West Lake Corridor project that involves expanding rail service into western Lake County, Indiana, along the former Monon Railroad line.

NICTD plans to launch service under the renamed Monon Corridor in first-quarter 2026. The project was originally slated for completion in May 2025 and Noland had expected to retire shortly afterward. He decided to remain as president until the project reached completion and NICTD found his successor, Noland says. He wanted to help with the leadership transition and resolve commercial issues pertaining to the Monon Corridor project, he adds.

In many ways, Tri-Rail is similar to the NICTD, Noland says. Dech handles himself well, knows how to work with Federal Railroad Administration leaders and has experience in testifying before Congress, Noland stresses.

“Dave is wonderful leader," says Noland. "He is thoughtful and driven, and has the right tools and vision."