California’s Corridor of Opportunity

Ian Choudri was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the California High-Speed Rail Authority in August 2024. As CEO, Choudri is responsible for overseeing the planning, development, and delivery of the nation’s first true high-speed rail program in California.

Prior to joining the Authority, Choudri worked in over 18 countries implementing mega construction projects related to rail, telecommunications, highways, energy, defense, airports and seaports. He worked with leading American engineering firms including Bechtel Corporation, HNTB and several other major firms from around the world.

In the United States, he worked on construction of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Dulles Airport Metro Line in Washington D.C., and most recently, he worked on a project to develop a future connection between the Ontario Airport with the future Brightline West terminus in Rancho Cucamonga in California.

 

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Please order your lunch by Monday, July 13th by 12noon. Plan ahead and order early! Late orders will be charged an extra $5. Same-day lunch will be $40.

Important note: If you have a prepaid pack, you still need to register, so we have enough food.
 
*Rotary is underwriting the Service Charge and Sales Tax.  Your lunch reservation is non-refundable once the order is placed on Monday at noon.

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President Tim rang the bell to open meeting #5529 of the Rotary Club of San Jose, thanking a red badge (Jeremy) who had dressed up as a hot dog for National Hot Dog Day. . The Red Badger helping with the traveling microphones were Nichole Edraos and Hemant Desai.

Leslee Hamilton led us all in a rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," and Steve Prouty gave an update on the Foundation, asking members to submit their annual contributions. Brenda Swiney gave a report on the Rotary International Conference last month in Taipei, which she and 8 other San Jose Rotarians attended. This year, the focus was on peace initiatives. New member Jacob Leung was introduced by his sponsor Machelle Locsin. See his bio below. James Williams and Randy "Prince" Zechman plugged a performance at Leavitt Pavilion next month (Aug 16) by "The Purple Ones", a twelve member Prince tribute band. The speaker was Tim Nichols, songwriter and member of the Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame. Tim gave an entertaining talk/performance, alternating songs or parts of songs, with reflections on success that apply to both business and music. His four rules: 1) Everyone is on the same team (in the same band), 2) Everyone needs to like the idea (everyone's gotta be digging the groove), 3) Everyone has their day (everybody gets to be the lead singer), 4) The product has to be good (the song’s gotta rock!). Tim wrapped up with a rendition of "Live Like You Were Dying", a Grammy Award-winning song he co-wrote. The Rotarian of the Week is Dr. Vic Corsiglia. He received a Rotarian of the Week pin, $50 gift certificate to Scott's Seafood and a bottle of wine from President Tim's backyard vineyard. Next Week’s Speaker is Ian Choudri, CEO, California High Speed Rail Authority speaking about California’s Corridor of Opportunity. Respectfully submitted by Jay Corbett, Meeting Summaries Committee
To see all pictures, click here thanks to Carl Cilker, Photography Committee.
Video is available here.

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