Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
David Buccolo (left), former general manager of Central California Traction Company and Hazmat Instructor at the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI), died Feb. 15. Andreas Lippert (center) and Andrew B. Fremier were promoted to Cummins Inc. and Metropolitan Transportation Commission, respectively. (Photograph by Andreas Lippert courtesy of Business Wire)
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) reports the passing of David Buccolo, former general manager of the Central California Traction Company and Hazmat Instructor at the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI). In addition, Cummins Inc. promotes Andreas Lippert to Vice President-New Power Engineering and the San Francisco Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) appoints Andrew B. Fremier as Executive Director.
ASLRRA reported it David Buccolo he died on February 15 after a brief battle with cancer.
Buccolo was an integral part of SLSI, serving first as an evaluator and later as lead author of the grant proposal that helps fund SLSI’s hazardous materials (hazmat) training program, the association said. He was also an instructor in that program and was responsible for moving the SLSI safety train to various events. In addition, Buccolo served on the ASLRRA safety and training committee and was chairman of the committee from 2000 to 2002.
A 51-year railroad industry veteran, Buccolo started out as a railroad worker and yard manager on the Chicago & North Western Railroad in South Dakota. He also held positions in operations, safety, and hazardous materials training and response at four Class I railroads and worked with short lines in Kansas, Indiana, and Texas. Buccolo retired as General Manager of Central California Traction Company in 2016, but has remained active in the industry. In addition to his roles at SLSI, he served as an executive committee member of the TRANSCAER National Emergency Response Working Group on Transportation Community Awareness (TRANSCAER).
“Dave was an experienced railroad worker with a very diverse knowledge of transportation, mechanics, engineering, hazardous materials, safety and compliance,” said JR Gelnar, ASLRRA vice president, safety and compliance. “He was very selfless and devoted his time and his knowledge, especially to the smallest of the short lines. He was a great supporter of ASLRRA and SLSI. A gentle giant among men, whom he will dearly miss the shortline industry.
Starting March 1, Andrew Lippert will assume the role of Vice President-New Power Engineering at Cummins. He joined the company in 2020 to lead the growth office within corporate strategy where he was responsible for identifying “new growth opportunities and potential disruptions to better position Cummins to achieve growth targets at long term, including participation in emerging technologies, acquisitions and incubation phase,” according to the company.
With more than 20 years of international experience, Lippert also served as Chief Technical Officer for the INNIO group and held leadership roles at General Motors (GM) and General Electric (GE). At GM, he led the advancement of engine technologies through simulation-driven development as well as corporate energy strategy to shape the future propulsion portfolio. At GE, he moved from the corporate research center in Munich, Germany to the GE Energy division and held various global engineering leadership roles in GE’s Distributed Power. In addition, according to Cummins, Lippert led product management and marketing for both the Jenbacher and Waukesha product families and was a key executive team member in GE’s $3.2 billion sale and spin-off process in 2018. .
Andrew B. Fremier was promoted to Executive Director of MTC, created by the California Legislature in 1970 to plan, finance and coordinate the Bay Area’s transportation system. The Commission’s scope over the years has broadened to address other regional issues, including housing and development. He succeeds Therese W. McMillan, who retired on February 1st. Fremier, who has served as deputy executive director of the MTC since 2005, also assumed leadership of the Bay Area Governments Association (ABAG).
Prior to joining MTC, Fremier served as deputy chief district manager for Caltrans District 4, located in Oakland. A licensed civil engineer, he held a variety of positions during his 20-year tenure at Caltrans, including leading the toll highway and bridge construction program and developing the state’s toll bridge seismic retrofitting program.
After joining the MTC staff, Fremier was a member of the Toll Bridge Program Oversight Committee project management team throughout its 2005-18 existence. He also managed the seismic retrofitting of the former United States Postal Service facility in San Francisco, which was acquired by the Bay Area Headquarters Authority branch of MTC in 2011, and the five-year project to redevelop the Bay Area Metro Center, which now houses headquarters for MTC, ABAG, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and the San Francisco Bay Area Conservation and Development Commission.
As Deputy Executive Director for MTC Operations, Fremier’s management portfolio included Project Design and Delivery, Electronic Payments, Facilities and Contract Services, Field Operations and Asset Management, and Technology Services. He has overseen initiatives such as the Clipper® electronic transit pass program, the 511 traveler information system, the FasTrak® electronic toll system, and MTC’s Express Lanes expressway network.
