Last week, the High Speed Rail Alliance (HSRA) announced the appointment of Russell
Rusty” Roberts to the organization’s Board of Directors.
A resident of Longwood, Roberts has spent much of his professional career working in transportation policy and advocacy both in Congress and the private sector.
Roberts served as Vice President of Government Affairs for Brightline Trains, Florida’s private sector high speed rail system, from 2013 through 2020. He was the long-time Chief of Staff to former U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., who led the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Roberts was also Managing Director of the Transportation Practice at BGR Government Affairs, a top ten Washington, DC consulting firm founded by former Gov. Haley Barbour, R-Miss.
Following his retirement from Brightline, Roberts was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the Florida Transportation Commission, a nine-member commission responsible for policy guidance and oversight of the Florida Department of Transportation and other state transportation agencies.
“Passenger rail and high-speed rail in particular has always been my special area of interest. Joining a highly respected advocacy organization such as the High Speed Rail Alliance allows me to continue that work and I am honored to work with them in their mission,” Roberts said.
HSRA Board Chairman Maurice Ball weighed in on Roberts joining the Board.
“Rusty Roberts brings a unique public and private sector rail experience to our organization, one which will help us accelerate our mission to educate and advocate for more investments, both from private and public sectors, in high-speed rail,” Ball said.
