UPDATE: BRIGHTLINE ANNOUNCES KEY LEADERSHIP CHANGES FOR NEXT PHASE OF GROWTH

Miami, FL (January 14, 2026) – Brightline Trains today announced the appointment of rail industry veteran Nicolas Petrovic as chief executive officer of Brightline Holdings LLC. Petrovic will succeed Michael Reininger, who has led Brightline's development from 2012-2018 and again since 2021. In his new role, Petrovic will focus on driving long-term value and sustained growth for Brightline's Florida operations while maintaining the operational excellence that has distinguished the brand. Reininger will continue with the company in the new capacity of managing director and member of the Board of Brightline West, where he will oversee the development of America’s first high speed passenger system. Petrovic will be based in Miami. Patrick Goddard and Sarah Watterson will continue in their leadership roles at Brightline Florida and Brightline West.

 

Brightline Holdings has also tapped Mauricio Anderson to be the new chief financial officer (CFO) of Brightline Holdings and its subsidiaries (other than Brightline West). Anderson will replace Jeff Swiatek who joined the company in 2018 and departed in January to pursue other opportunities. Anderson has served with one of Brightline’s indirect parent entities, Florida East Coast Industries, LLC since 2013 and as CFO since 2019. Additionally, Bruce Snyder will be elevated from deputy CFO of Brightline West to CFO of Brightline West.

 

Petrovic is a globally recognized name in the rail industry with more than 25 years of experience in multiple leadership positions in Europe and the Middle East. He originally joined Eurostar, the iconic rail service connecting London, Paris and Brussels, in 2003. From 2006 to 2010, he was responsible for all aspects of train operations, safety and service delivery across three countries. From 2010 through 2018 Petrovic served as CEO of Eurostar. Under his leadership, Eurostar achieved record passenger numbers while navigating complex international regulatory environments and intensifying competition from low-cost airlines. He is credited with transforming the company by overseeing major fleet modernization programs, network expansion into the Netherlands, and significant improvements in operational performance and customer experience.

 

Petrovic served as the chief executive of Siemens France from 2018-2021, where he led the company's mobility, infrastructure, and digital industries divisions, further deepening his expertise in rail technology and transportation innovation. Most recently Petrovic has been the CEO of Etihad Rail Mobility in the United Arab Emirates. Etihad Rail is the developer and operator of the United Arab Emirates' national railway network.

 

For his service to the transportation industry, Petrovic was named to Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, the highest civilian award in France recognizing exceptional merit in service to the nation in both military and civilian capacities. With 79,000 current members and approximately 2,000 French citizens and 300 foreign nationals honored annually. The decoration requires a minimum of twenty years of distinguished activity and an exemplary record.

 

“Brightline has introduced new and elevated expectations for the passenger rail industry in America, and it is an honor to lead the company’s next stage of growth. With the tools and experiences from a global peer group, I believe Brightline will continue to show the way forward for profitability and customer experience that will firmly position the business in America’s transportation landscape,” said Petrovic.

 

“We are excited about the future of Brightline, and these moves will align our executive leadership with the specific needs to support both of our businesses” said Wes Edens, founder of Brightline Holdings. “As Brightline continues to pioneer a new era in American transportation, the insights that Nicolas brings from around the globe will strengthen our operating company as it continues to grow and expand, while Mike concentrates his focus once again on implementing an unprecedented infrastructure development.”

 

As managing director, Reininger will now dedicate his full attention to delivering the $21 billion Brightline West project, which will connect Southern California to Las Vegas. Reininger successfully launched Brightline's Florida operations and established the company as America's only private intercity passenger rail service. His singular focus on Brightline West will be critical to executing the high-speed rail project, which represents one of the largest private infrastructure investments in U.S. history.

 

“I'm energized to devote all my time and attention to Brightline West, one of the nation’s biggest privately led infrastructure investments,” added Reininger. “This is exactly the kind of bold project our country needs, and I'm confident we'll set a new standard for how major rail projects are executed in the United States."

 

–GOBRIGHTLINE–

 

ABOUT BRIGHTLINE

Brightline is the only private provider of modern, eco-friendly, intercity passenger rail service in America – the company offers a hospitality-centric experience designed to reinvent train travel at a comparable price to driving or flying. Brightline currently serves Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Orlando in Florida. Operating since 2018, the Brightline Florida has been recognized as one of TIME100’s Most Influential Companies and one of the World’s 50 Most Innovative by Fast Company.

 

Currently under preliminary construction, Brightline West will connect Las Vegas and Southern California with the nation's first true high-speed passenger rail system. The 218-mile, all-electric rail service will include a flagship station in Las Vegas, with additional stations in Apple Valley, Hesperia, and Rancho Cucamonga. At speeds up to 200 miles per hour, trains will take passengers from Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga in about two hours, twice as fast as the average drive time. For more information on Brightline in Florida, visit www.gobrightline.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X. For more information on Brightline West, visit www.brightlinewest.com and follow Facebook, Instagram, and X.