Miami native Melissa Shuffield joins All Aboard Florida to lead public affairs and government relations for the only privately funded express passenger rail system in the country
Miami, FL (September 18, 2015) – All Aboard Florida announced the hiring of a national communications specialist, Melissa Shuffield, as Senior Vice President of Public Affairs. Ms. Shuffield will lead the Company's communications and government affairs activities.
“We are thrilled to have Melissa join our team,” said Michael Reininger, president of All Aboard Florida. “Her top-notch credentials are a perfect blend of experience for this historic project that will transform our state's mobility system.”
Ms. Shuffield most recently worked in business development for the premier real estate firm EWM in Miami. Previously she served as an Executive Director for Corporate Communications for JP Morgan Chase in New York where she gained relevant financial services experience throughout some of the toughest years in Wall Street's history. Ms. Shuffield also served as a senior vice president at one of Washington, DC's leading public affairs firms and was press secretary for Senator John McCain in the U.S. Senate and throughout his 2008 Presidential Campaign. She also worked for Senator Mel Martinez from Florida throughout his campaign and his time in office as press secretary.
“It's exciting to be a part of such an innovative project that benefits my home state,” Ms. Shuffield said. “This is set to become a national model on how to develop modern and seamless transportation systems, which can change a way of life.”
All Aboard Florida is undertaking a project that has not been attempted in more than 100 years on the Henry Flagler rail line – building a higher speed passenger rail system, urban living spaces and mixed use development in South Florida. All Aboard Florida has made significant progress by garnering cooperation and thorough review and approval from local, state and federal officials, as well as invested significant private capital. The project is set to be completed mid-2017.
About All Aboard Florida
All Aboard Florida is an intercity passenger-rail project being developed by Florida East Coast Industries, owner of Florida's premier passenger rail corridor. When launched in 2017, the service will connect Miami to Orlando, with intermediate stations in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, in just under three hours. This rail service will provide residents and visitors with a viable transportation alternative to congested highways and crowded airports, and passengers with a high‐quality onboard experience. All Aboard Florida will be the only privately-owned-and-operated passenger-rail service in the United States. For more information, visit www.AllAboardFlorida.com.