GAVALLA, GEORGE A.

 11 Cherry Hill Road

 Norwich, Connecticut  06360                 

 (860) 886-8104    Cell: (860) 912-5144

 E:Mail: GGavalla@aol.com      GGavalla@pvbci.com

Profile:  National railroad safety executive.  Program architect, leader, and negotiator. Skilled troubleshooter.  Senior U.S. Government leader with corporate and union experience.  International background as consultant and liaison.  Broad intellectual perspective.

• Over 28 years railroad safety experience in positions of strategic and leadership responsibility.
• Associate Administrator for Safety, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).  Head of the agency’s Office of Safety, directed the Federal Government’s railroad accident investigation, safety inspection and safety enforcement programs.  Led large scale comprehensive safety investigations on the major railroads in the U.S. to identify safety risks and implement safety improvement action plans.  Senior FRA liaison to industry leaders, White House, Federal agencies, the Congress and State legislatures.
• Has testified before Congress, the National Transportation Safety Board, and other federal and state agencies regarding railroad safety matters.
• Multiple appearance and interviews on CNN, 60 Minutes II, National Public Radio, New York Times, Washington Post, and numerous other news media outlets as a rail safety and security expert.
• During my tenure as head of the Office of Safety, the railroad industry achieved the lowest levels of rail-related fatalities and injuries in its history, all rail-related fatalities fell by 19%, employee fatalities by 48% and grade crossing fatalities by 28%.  Also led FRA’s most productive era for promulgation of new safety standards and regulations.
• Advanced studies in International Relations and History, Georgetown University
• Served as Director of Research, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, National Headquarters (1991-95), Assistant General Chairman, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (1984-91), Connecticut State Legislative Representative (1989-91), Hands-on experience as Communications and Signal Maintainer, Consolidated Rail Corporation (1976-84), Congressional Intern, U.S. House of Representatives (1974).

Member - Peer Review Committee - NARSCI.