July 18, 2016 - TRA Newswire

Texas Central railway CEO Tim Keith announced that the high speed rail project added three key players today to their roster, including a former Texas Transportation Commission member.

In a news release, Keith announced that "it's another sign that the North Texas to Houston high-speed train project continues to gain momentum throughout the state of Texas. As the project gains speed, we have continued to add to our already highly skilled team with additional team members who bring strong skills, experiences and community relationships to Texas Central."

Jeff Moseley, most recently a member of the Texas Transportation Commission, will serve as Texas Central’s state vice president while Michael Moore, previously a top aide to Houston’s former mayor Bill White, will serve as regional vice president. Also, Marvalette Hunter joins Texas Central from 3D Visions Planning Consultants, a project planning and development consulting firm where she serves as Principal and CEO.

Texas Central now has over 30 employees on staff, preparing for groundbreaking in 2017 after the Federal Railroad Administration signs off on a final Environmental Impact Statement.

These new executives join David Hagy and David Benzion in the Houston TCR office and bring decades of experience working in Houston, North Texas and across the state and will be vital to the continued momentum of Texas’ high-speed train project, according to Keith.

"We are excited to add these experienced professionals to our Houston team," said Keith. "With backgrounds in both private and public sector groups, Jeff, Michael and Marvalette bring a wealth of resources, knowledge and relationships to our already strong team."

Moseley's served as Denton County Judge, an economic development professional and a transportation expert. He served four years on the Texas Transportation Commission including the last year as vice chairman. Gov. Rick Perry appointed him to the influential commission, which oversees the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2012 to fill an unexpired term. He will not be interfacing with the agency in this new role, according to Texas Central.M

Moseley was chief executive officer of the Greater Houston Partnership and worked with business leaders, elected officials and transportation stakeholders over a seven year period. Previously, he served as director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development and Tourism where he led the economic outreach during a time when Texas was recognized as the best place to do business in the U.S.

Between 1991 and 1999, Moseley served as Denton County judge, the top elected position in that North Texas county. During that time, he was a member of the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the North Central Texas Council of Governments, led the passage of two mobility bond campaigns and organized the Interstate 35 Corridor Coalition.

CEO Keith stated that "Jeff has lived and worked in both of Texas’ major economic centers—North Texas and Houston—and knows these dynamic regions firsthand. Jeff has a clear understanding of the demands that elected county officials face, and will be able to effectively work with leaders and communities that are both rural and urban."

Michael Moore served as chief of staff to former Houston Mayor Bill White during his entire six-year term. He has more than 25 years of management, strategic communications and public policy expertise in corporate, political and government sectors. He served as primary point person for Mayor Bill White's office during hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Ike. Moore also served as special assistant to the deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy.

Marvalette Hunter is an architect and planner with over 18 years experience in affordable housing development and finance. She formerly served as Chief Development Officer for the Harris County Housing Authority. Hunter recently served on the Transition Committee for Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.

Keith said that "Marvalette has extensive experience in fund development, including grant writing and capital giving campaigns. She also has extensive knowledge and use of federal programs to fund and support community development, including HOME, CDBG, and Housing Tax Credit and Bond Financing."