Dave J. Kubicek named SFRTA executive director after national search

South Florida – The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority has selected Dave J. Kubicek as its next executive director, bringing an experienced public transportation executive to the agency as it prepares for the future of commuter rail service in South Florida.

The SFRTA Governing Board approved Kubicek’s appointment during a special meeting on July 24, 2026. He is scheduled to officially begin his new position on August 31, following a national search conducted during a period of interim leadership.

Kubicek brings more than 35 years of experience in passenger rail and public transportation. His career has included senior leadership positions at several major transit agencies, where he has worked on large infrastructure programs, rail operations, rolling stock, engineering, capital investments and long-term transportation planning.

He will take over leadership of SFRTA after Deputy Executive Director Diane Hernandez Del Calvo, who has served as Interim Executive Director since March 2026.

The appointment comes at an important time for the agency as it looks at its financial position and plans for the next decade of commuter rail service. SFRTA operates Tri-Rail, South Florida’s regional commuter rail system, and the new executive director is expected to bring extensive experience with large-scale transportation programs to the role.

“Dave Kubicek brings decades of executive leadership, technical expertise, and a proven ability to deliver complex transit initiatives,” said SFRTA Governing Board Chair Commissioner Raquel A. Regalado. “As we work to strengthen the agency’s financial foundation and plan for the next decade of commuter rail service, Dave Kubicek’s extensive experience leading major transit systems and capital programs will help position Tri-Rail for continued success and growth.”

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Before joining SFRTA, Kubicek served as Executive Vice President of Capital Construction Engineering Design at CapMetro in Austin, Texas. He reported directly to the agency’s CEO and held responsibility for a wide range of major functions.

His areas of oversight included Capital Design & Construction, Power Systems, Environmental Sustainability, Rolling Stock & Support Equipment, Systems Engineering & Design, Capital Construction & Transit Asset Management, Facility Design & Construction, Facility Programming & Management and Real Estate.

At CapMetro, Kubicek was involved in the agency’s work supporting Project Connect, a major transit expansion program in the Austin area. His responsibilities covered capital construction, engineering and design, rolling stock, sustainability and real estate.

He also worked on strengthening relationships with federal and state partners, delivering major capital investments and developing long-range capital plans. Another part of his work involved making sure transit projects were ready for operation as major expansions moved forward.

Kubicek previously served as Senior Director of Rolling Stock and Systems Integration for the Austin Transit Partnership. In that position, he led work involving systems integration, engineering, planning, construction cost modeling and operations planning for Austin’s light rail program.

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His career has taken him through some of the largest public transportation organizations in the country. He has held executive leadership positions with Metro-North Railroad, Long Island Rail Road, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Dallas Area Rapid Transit and Parsons.

Across those positions, Kubicek has dealt with many of the issues that affect large transit systems. His experience includes overseeing transportation operations, infrastructure development, rail vehicle procurement, major capital programs and enterprise asset management.

He has also worked closely with transportation partners at the federal, state and regional levels. That background could be particularly relevant as SFRTA continues to manage the demands of maintaining and developing regional rail service while planning for its longer-term needs.

Kubicek’s professional background includes technical education and specialized training. He earned an Associate Degree of Occupational Studies from Universal Technical Institute and completed the LEAD Executive Program through a consortium of major transit agencies in North America.

He also holds professional certifications in areas including maintenance management, facilities management, telecommunications and digital systems.

Beyond his work with individual transit agencies, Kubicek has participated in industry organizations and transportation initiatives. He has served in leadership roles with the American Public Transportation Association, the Association of American Railroads and the Federal Transit Administration’s State of Good Repair Working Committee.

Those roles have given him additional exposure to issues facing transportation agencies across the country, including infrastructure conditions, asset management and the need to maintain reliable transit systems.

His selection follows a national search by SFRTA as the agency sought a permanent leader after the start of the interim leadership period earlier this year. Hernandez Del Calvo has overseen the agency as interim executive director since March.

Kubicek is expected to assume his responsibilities on August 31. His arrival will come as SFRTA focuses on the future of Tri-Rail and the broader role of commuter rail in South Florida.

The agency’s governing board has highlighted financial stability and long-term planning as key priorities. Kubicek’s background in capital construction and major transit expansion programs is expected to complement those efforts.

With decades of experience behind him, Kubicek now returns to a leadership role in a region where reliable public transportation serves residents, workers and visitors across South Florida. His new position will place him at the center of decisions involving the future of one of the region’s major commuter rail systems.

Outside of his professional career, Kubicek and his wife are parents to a daughter and grandparents to two grandchildren. He will begin his tenure as SFRTA executive director at the end of August, taking responsibility for guiding the agency through its next phase of commuter rail service and development.