NEWS RELEASE: CEO Choudri Congratulates Henry Perea on Reappointment to California High-Speed Rail Board of Directors

November 24, 2025

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) CEO Ian Choudri has welcomed the reappointment of Henry R. Perea by the Senate Rules Committee to the Authority’s Board of Directors.

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“Director Perea has been actively engaged on this program for years. I welcome his continued service and look forward to working with him and the board as we work to deliver California high-speed rail smarter, faster, and more economically.”

ian Choudri, Authority CEO

Director Perea is a lifelong resident of Fresno, Calif. He spent 23 years in elected service in the heart of the state’s Central Valley, during which he served on the Fresno County Board of Education, the Fresno City Council and as a member of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors.

The Authority Board of Directors was established in 1996 and oversees the planning, construction, and operation of the nation’s first true high-speed rail system.

The Board of Directors consists of nine members: five members appointed by the Governor, two members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and two members appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly. Each Board member represents the entire state and serves a four-year term.

High-Speed Rail Progress

Work continues daily on the high-speed rail project, with 171 miles currently under design and construction from Merced to Bakersfield. More than 70 miles of guideway are complete, along with nearly 60 fully completed major structures, and 30 more structures are underway across Madera, Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties.

The project continues to advance statewide, with 463 miles of the 494-mile San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim system fully environmentally cleared and construction ready.

Since construction began, the project has created more than 16,100 good-paying jobs—most filled by Central Valley residents. Up to 1,700 workers report to high-speed rail construction sites each day.

Interviews in Spanish are available upon request. For more information, contact the Authority’s media relations office at: news@hsr.ca.gov.

Se ofrecen entrevistas en Español bajo solicitud. Para obtener más información, contacte a la Oficina de Relaciones con los Medios por correo electrónico: news@hsr.ca.gov.

For the latest on high-speed rail construction, visit www.buildhsr.com.

The following link contains recent video, animations, photography, press center resources and latest renderings: https://hsra.box.com/v/ca-hsr-media-resources. Files are all available for free use, courtesy of the California High-Speed Rail Authority

Build More, Faster

High-speed rail is a key part of Governor Newsom’s Build More, Faster agenda, delivering infrastructure upgrades and creating jobs throughout the state. Discover more: Build.ca.gov

California's 175th Birthday

California, a state of dreamers and doers, has driven profound progress over the last 175 years through its profound resilience, welcoming spirit, and respect for personal freedom.

Speakers Bureau

The California High-Speed Rail Authority Speakers Bureau is managed by the Communications Office and provides informational presentations on the High-Speed Rail Program.

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Contact

Kyle Simerly
(C) 916-718-5733
Kyle.Simerly@hsr.ca.gov

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