People news from Virginia DRPT, Trinity Metro, MTA and REMSA

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) announced the appointment of Mariia Zimmerman as director, following her appointment by Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger. Zimmerman has 30 years of experience in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Most recently, she served as principal of MZ Strategies, a planning and policy consultancy firm, DRPT officials said in a press release. During the President Joe Biden's administration, Zimmerman served as principal deputy assistant secretary for transportation policy under U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. She co-directed the team guiding the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, according to a DRPT press release.

Trinity Metro in Texas has hired Mike Brennan as vice president of economic development. In his new role, Brennan will plan, direct and manage the Tarrant County, Texas, public transportation agency's economic development work, according to a Trinity Metropress release. Most recently, Brennan was president of Near Southside Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to redeveloping Fort Worth's south side into a mixed-use neighborhood. Trinity Metro operates the TEXRail commuter service and co-operates Trinity Railway Express with Dallas Area Rapid Transit.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has appointed Sergio Paneque chief procurement officer of the New York agency. Paneque has decades of experience in procurement operations for large public sector organizations, according to an MTA press release. Most recently, Paneque was CPO for the New York City Housing Authority. Prior to that role, he was CPO for the state of New York. He also held senior procurement roles with New York City and the state of Michigan, where he helped to reduce procurement cycle times, improve transparency and deliver cost savings, MTA officials said.

Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) members at their annual meeting in December 2025 elected Jason Rea, president of LJA Engineering Inc.'s railroad services division, to REMSA's board. Rea began his two-year term Jan. 1. In his role at LJA, Rea oversees the company's rail design, construction, safety, strategic growth and business development initiatives. Prior to joining LJA, Rea spent most of his career at Union Pacific Railroad, culminating with his role as assistant vice president of engineering, according to a REMSA press release.