Subject: RE: Amtrak HSR Guy
From: "Bob Cook" <[email-masked]>
To: "'Hunter Biden'" <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 24 Sep 2010 09:59:12 -0500

I haven't heard back on the MD meetings yet.  Parola was very appreciative  for the opportunity.

From: Hunter Biden [mailto:[email-masked]]
Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 9:56 AM
To: Bob Cook
Subject: Re: Amtrak HSR Guy

Ill try to set up a meeting with him asap.  I met with carper Wed and had an interesting discussion regarding Amtrak's focus on HSR going forward.  I plan to meet with Stephen Gardner for lunch- i think the second week of Oct.  How did MD meetings go yesterday?  Now that you have read War- go see the movie they made its called Restrepo.
R. Hunter Biden
Rosemont Seneca Partners LLC
202-333-1880
212-933-9965

On Sep 24, 2010, at 10:23 AM, Bob Cook wrote:

Hunter:  Do you know Al Engel?  If not, can you get to know him?  He is highly regarded, but his ties to AECOM concern us.  AECOM recently announced a slate of high profile HSR hires.  Coincidence?  I think not.

By the way, I just finished WAR, by Sebastian Junger.  You recommended it when we met for lunch.  Great read.  I have a friend who's son is with the 10th Mountain and was in Korungal prior to the men in the book.  Incredible perspective on Afganistan and combat.

Thursday, September 23, 2010
Amtrak tabs Engel to oversee HSR department

Today, Amtrak announced it named Al Engel vice president of the national intercity passenger railroad's newly formed high-speed rail department. He will lead initiatives to help Amtrak play a larger role in high-speed passenger-rail operations in the United States.

Engel most recently was vice president and high-speed rail director for AECOM, which provides professional, technical and management support services. He also serves on the American Public Transportation Association's board.

Engel will be charged with pursuing partnerships with states and other passenger-rail industry constituents to develop high-speed rail corridors, such as new projects advancing forward in California and Florida. He also will conduct planning activities to improve Amtrak high-speed rail operations in the Northeast. In addition, Engel will serve as an AECOM senior advisor on a study commissioned by Amtrak to determine the feasibility of increasing top speeds along the Northeast Corridor, reducing trip times between Washington, D.C., and Boston, and increasing train frequencies.

With more than 40 years of experience in the rail transportation industry, Engel has been active in the study, advocacy and development of high-speed rail projects, including equipment procurement and infrastructure work on the Northeast Corridor prior to Amtrak launching Acela Express service.

Prior to joining AECOM in 2009, Engel was a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley. He also previously served as president and CEO of SYSTRA Consulting, a firm affiliated with France's Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer and Pris Metro, specializing in rail transportation and public transit planning and engineering, including high-speed rail projects.

In addition, Engel was president, CEO and founder of SYSTRA predecessor LS Transit Systems Inc., which provided consulting services for the California High Speed Rail Authority as it developed an implementation plan.

"Al has considerable expertise, is a dedicated proponent for public transportation and shares our conviction that Amtrak plays a vital, leading and necessary role in expanding and operating high-speed rail service across the country," said Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Boardman in a prepared statement.

Bob Cook
Vice President
Government Relations
HNTB Corporation
10 West Mifflin Street, Suite 300
Madison, WI 53703
608-294-5018
[email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>

This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential
and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity
to whom they are addressed.

If you are NOT the intended recipient or the person responsible for
delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient,
be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use,
dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying this e-mail is strictly prohibited.