Brian Kelly

The California High-Speed Rail Authority announced it has hired a new CEO, Brian P. Kelly, who has led the California State Transportation Agency since its inception in 2013.

He replaces Jeff Morales, who left the post in June 2017.

Kelly’s tenure will be effective Feb. 1. The compensation is $384,984 for this position, according to a news release from the authority.

“Brian Kelly is a proven problem-solver and the leading expert on California’s transportation sector. He has been a dynamic Transportation Secretary, leading strategic approaches to modernize the state’s passenger and freight rail systems, and effectively dealing with natural disaster impacts on roads, bridges and highways,” said Authority Chairman Dan Richard. “Brian has been a keen advocate for the development of high-speed rail as a core component of California’s future transportation networks. As a respected leader and skilled manager he will provide the right leadership as the project moves into the delivery and commercialization phase.”

“Brian has ably led the California State Transportation Agency since its inception and is uniquely qualified to move the nation’s first high-speed rail project forward,” said Governor Jerry Brown.

As transportation secretary, Kelly oversaw one of the largest portfolios in the State of California with more than 38,000 employees and a total budget of more than $18 billion. During his tenure as secretary, the agency led efforts to:

— Enact Senate Bill 1, the single largest investment in California’s transportation infrastructure that raised gas taxes and registration fees

— Implement AB 60, a Department of Motor Vehicles program to provide an estimated 1.4 million undocumented immigrants the opportunity to apply for and receive driver licenses in California

— Develop first-in-the-nation autonomous vehicle regulations for the testing and deploying of this new transformative technology.

Prior to his appointment to the Brown Administration, Kelly was at the center of major transportation policy decisions in the state for more than two decades, having served as chief transportation policy consultant for four successive Senate President pro Tempores.

With Kelly’s departure at the California State Transportation Agency, the governor has named Brian Annis as acting transportation agency secretary. Annis has served as undersecretary at the agency since 2013.