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P. Mike Reininger, Brightline Holdings, Chief Executive Officer
Mike is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Brightline Holdings rail projects, including Brightline West’s (BLW) development, design, and financing. From 2012 to 2018, he served as Brightline Holdings' president, leading all efforts to launch its Phase I system from Miami to West Palm Beach. Under his leadership, Brightline modernized an existing rail corridor, built five new stations, and introduced a fleet of first-of-their-kind trainsets. Mike rejoined Brightline Holdings as CEO in 2021 to oversee the company's next phase of growth. Mike has more than three decades of experience in developing major projects and the start-up of unique companies. He was also the Managing Director of the Union Station Neighborhood Company, where he led the effort to transform Denver's Union Station and its downtown railyard into a modern multimodal transportation hub. He has also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer for AECOM. Mike holds a Bachelor of Architecture, Design Specialization from Texas Tech University and executive certifications in resort and hotel master planning, financial engineering and business management from Harvard University School of Design, Harvard Business School, and Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Sarah Watterson, Brightline West, President
Sarah is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the BLW high-speed rail project including development, design, and financing. Prior to her BLW role, Sarah was the Head of Development for Brightline Florida's parent company, Florida East Coast Industries (FECI), where she oversaw the development and asset management for over 10 million square feet of transit oriented and industrial development. Prior to that role, Sarah was the CEO of a publicly traded golf and entertainment company, Drive Shack, which owned and/or operated more than 75 golf courses, including many Los Angeles County and City of Long Beach public golf courses. Prior to serving in this position, Sarah helped lead the acquisition, ownership syndication and restructuring of the National Basketball Association’s Milwaukee Bucks for Fortress Investment Group owner Wes Edens. In this role, Sarah worked on the development of a $550 million arena complex completed through a private-public partnership. Prior to her time in Milwaukee, she was on the Private Equity team at Fortress Investment Group. Sarah began her career at Goldman Sachs in the Sales & Trading Division. Sarah graduated summa cum laude from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Economics and Management.
Jeff Swiatek, Chief Financial Officer
Jeff has served as Chief Financial Officer since June 2018. He oversees the financial aspects of the development and operations of the Company. Prior to joining the Company, Jeff served in various senior roles at American International Group, Inc. (‘‘AIG’’), a multinational finance and insurance corporation, from 2002 to 2018. Prior to AIG, he worked in the investment banking department of Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., a multinational investment bank and financial services company, from 1998 to 2001. Mr. Swiatek has more than 25 years of experience in international corporate finance and strategy. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Asian Studies from Dartmouth College and also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Cynthia Bergmann, General Counsel
Cynthia has served as General Counsel since July 2020 and is responsible for directing legal and compliance affairs and advising senior management on all significant legal issues. Cindy brings more than 30 years of legal experience in mergers and acquisitions, financing, real estate, corporate, and regulatory matters to the role, with significant transportation industry experience. Before joining Brightline, Cindy was a partner with Freeborn & Peters in Chicago, where she served as co-chair of the firm's corporate practice group and chair of its transportation industry team. Cindy received her Juris Doctor degree from the UIC John Marshall Law School and her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance and Marketing from the University of Denver. She is a past president of the Association of Transportation Law Professionals.
Ben Porritt, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs
Ben Porritt has more than two decades of experience spanning across media, finance and politics and is currently the Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Brightline. As a member of Brightline’s executive team, Ben oversees government and public affairs, corporate responsibility, and community outreach. He leads and is a key contributor to local and federal outreach and has been involved in securing support for private activity bonds, grants, and other initiatives to expand and enhance Brightline’s operations. Ben began his career in politics, leading communications and political campaigns for notable elected officials and presidential candidates. Ben received his Bachelor’s degree from Bradley University and Masters in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.
Les Snyder, Executive Vice President, Development & Infrastructure Construction
Les’ background includes more than 30 years of experience in major construction projects in the vertical, heavy/civil, and industrial sectors throughout North America and the Caribbean. Most recently, Les was President of S&B USA, a U.S. subsidiary of Shikun and Binui Ltd., Israel’s largest construction, real estate development, and energy investment company. Les led and coordinated U.S. operations, including the pursuit of multiple public-private partnerships (P3s) and the award of the Fargo-Moorhead Area Flood Diversion Channel P3. He has also served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Infrastructure and Industrial Constructors USA, LLC, increasing its annual revenues, expanding primary operations throughout the entire Eastern Seaboard, and implementing an industry-leading talent development program during his tenure. Les’ other previous roles include President and Chief Operating Officer of Barton Malow Company, Chairman of the Board of Barton Malow Company Subsidiaries, and Executive Vice President of American Bridge Company. Les is an alumnus of the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and is heavily involved in the Associated General Contractors of America, the Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, and the Construction Industry Round Table.
Adrian Share, PE, Executive Vice President, System & Planning Engineering
Adrian is a 32-year leading rail transportation industry veteran and a 8+ year veteran at Brightline, where he oversaw the engineering, construction management, and final delivery of Brightline Florida Phase I, and the engineering and environmental work of Phase 2 for rail infrastructure for the Miami to Orlando project. At BLW, Adrian leads the planning and engineering of the rail infrastructure, facilities, and systems, and oversees the implementation and regulatory approval of the rolling stock. He previously served as Florida District Leader and Program Manager at HNTB Corporation, an architecture, civil engineering consulting and construction management firm, from 2010 to 2015. Adrian also served as the Florida High-Speed Rail Project Manager from 2008 to 2011. Mr. Share holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Tulane University and a Master of Business Administration from Northeastern University. He is a Professional Engineer in Florida and previously served as the Chair of the Transportation Committee of the Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers.