Joe Stephenshaw takes interim lead as Ian Choudri resigns from rail authority

The High-Speed Rail Board appointed Department of Finance head Joe Stephenshaw interim CEO after Ian Choudri resigned as chief of the California High-Speed Rail Authority. Choudri submitted his resignation Wednesday night, and it took effect immediately, according to the board chair’s account reported by KCRA. Stephenshaw is scheduled to start the interim post on Nov.

3, leaving his finance director role, the New York Post reported. Choudri cited personal and family priorities for his departure. The New York Post quoted Board Chair Steve Kawa thanking him for his service and saying the board wanted Californians to have a project they could trust. Kawa also said Gov.

Gavin Newsom would continue to insist on that standard from those working on the project. The resignation came amid scrutiny of project spending and travel expenses. The New York Times and CBS News headlines characterized Choudri’s departure as occurring amid questions or scrutiny over spending, with CBS also pointing to rising costs.

KCRA reported that the High-Speed Rail Authority said California taxpayers spent more than $250 million between 2024 and 2026 on KPMG, Nossaman LLP, Systra-Typsa and AECOM-Fluor, four consulting firms connected to a travel-expenses investigation. That spending figure and the firms’ connection to the investigation are KCRA’s account of the authority’s information.

KCRA also said transparency had been an issue when it sought project updates. The reporting does not establish that the spending concerns caused Choudri’s resignation: he gave personal and family priorities as his reason, while the headlines from The New York Times and CBS News emphasized the scrutiny surrounding his departure. Political pressure was also in view.

Before the resignation, Xavier Becerra, a candidate for California governor, told KCRA he likely would have removed Choudri if elected. The Los Angeles Times similarly reported Becerra said he would remove Choudri if elected, placing that statement hours before the resignation. The accounts identify Becerra’s position but do not say it prompted Choudri to leave.

The board’s leadership change coincided with a major project decision. Hours after Choudri resigned, the board approved environmental clearance for the final 33-mile segment of the route from Anaheim to Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times reported.

That outlet also quoted Marisa Olguin, president and CEO of the Vernon Chamber of Commerce, warning that the project threatens 37 businesses and more than 1,200 jobs. Stephenshaw’s interim appointment puts the finance director in charge of the rail authority as it faces questions about spending, transparency and the route’s effects on businesses and jobs.

His stated start date is Nov. 3; the sources describe no further transition timetable or board decision beyond the appointment and the environmental clearance vote.