Virginia & Texas Rail: New Leaders to Drive Funding & Growth

Virginia DRPT appoints IIJA leader as director, while Trinity Metro hires for transit-oriented development. These moves signal strategic focus on federal funds and revenue growth.

January 22, 2026 6:39 am

🛑 Key Takeaways:

Virginia’s DRPT has appointed Mariia Zimmerman, a former USDOT official who co-directed the implementation of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), as its new director.
Texas’ Trinity Metro has hired local redevelopment expert Mike Brennan as VP of Economic Development to spearhead transit-oriented growth in Tarrant County.
The appointments signal a strategic focus on securing federal infrastructure funds in Virginia and driving transit-oriented development revenue in Texas.

RICHMOND, VA & FORT WORTH, TX – The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) has named Mariia Zimmerman, a former senior U.S. Department of Transportation official, as its new director. Zimmerman was directly involved in guiding the national implementation of the IIJA. Concurrently, Trinity Metro in Texas has appointed Mike Brennan to the new role of Vice President of Economic Development, tasked with managing the agency’s real estate and development initiatives.

Category	Mariia Zimmerman (Virginia DRPT)	Mike Brennan (Trinity Metro)
Organization	Virginia Dept. of Rail & Public Transportation	Trinity Metro (Tarrant County, TX)
New Role	Director	Vice President, Economic Development
Core Mandate	State-wide rail and public transit policy, funding, and oversight.	Transit-oriented economic development and agency asset management.
Key Prior Experience	Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, USDOT; Co-director, IIJA Implementation	President, Near Southside Inc. (nonprofit redevelopment)
Total Experience	30 years (public, private, nonprofit)	Not specified
Key Agency Services	Statewide rail (Amtrak/VRE expansion) & public transport	TEXRail commuter service, Trinity Railway Express (co-op)

Leadership Background & Mandates

Mariia Zimmerman’s appointment brings direct federal-level experience to Virginia’s top rail and transit post. During the Biden administration, she served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy under Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Her role co-directing the team guiding the IIJA’s implementation positions her to maximize federal funding opportunities for Virginia’s ambitious rail projects. Her 30-year career also includes private sector consultancy as principal of MZ Strategies.

Mike Brennan’s hiring at Trinity Metro reflects a focused effort on leveraging transit assets for economic growth. His most recent role as president of Near Southside Inc. involved redeveloping Fort Worth’s south side into a mixed-use neighborhood. This experience directly aligns with his new mandate to plan and manage economic development for the Tarrant County agency, which operates the TEXRail commuter line.

Market Impact Analysis

Zimmerman’s appointment is a strategic move by Virginia to enhance its ability to compete for and manage the significant capital available through the IIJA. Her intimate knowledge of the federal grant process and policy priorities is expected to accelerate key initiatives, such as the Transforming Rail in Virginia program, which aims to expand passenger rail service. This places DRPT in a strong position to execute complex, federally-backed infrastructure projects.

For Trinity Metro, creating a VP of Economic Development role signifies a strategy to diversify revenue streams beyond the farebox. By bringing in Brennan, the agency aims to catalyze transit-oriented development (TOD) around its rail stations. This approach seeks to increase property values, boost ridership, and create sustainable, non-fare revenue through real estate partnerships, a critical strategy for U.S. transit agencies facing fiscal pressures.

FAQ: Quick Facts

Who is the new director of Virginia’s DRPT?

Mariia Zimmerman has been appointed director. She previously served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy at the U.S. DOT and helped guide the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

What is Mike Brennan’s new role at Trinity Metro?

Mike Brennan has been hired as the Vice President of Economic Development. He will be responsible for planning and managing the public transportation agency’s economic development work in Tarrant County, Texas.