Canadian toll firm hires US construction exec as CEO

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Jose Espinosa is taking the reins as president and CEO of toll highway company 407 ETR, according to a news release from the Woodbridge, Ontario-based firm. He brings to the role more than 25 years of international experience in tolling and highway infrastructure across the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia.

Espinosa succeeded Javier Tamargo, who served as president and CEO since September 2020, on July 16. Tamargo is now CEO of Austin, Texas-headquartered highway firm Cintra US, a subsidiary of Amsterdam-headquartered civil engineering company Ferrovial. Espinosa also joined the 407 ETR board of directors this month.

His appointment is a return to the firm: Between 2009 and 2016, Espinosa worked as corporate shareholder liaison and reporting manager, and later as project director for Highway 407 ETR East operations, per the release.

Espinosa recently served as CEO of three North Texas highways — the Lyndon B. Johnson Expressway, North Tarrant Express and North Tarrant Express 35W — where he worked to increase capacity and connectivity on main arteries in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, per the release. Prior to that, he served as CEO at I-77 Mobility Partners in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Previously, Espinosa also worked at Ferrovial, starting in 2000 as an analyst in the corporate treasury department and progressing through several management positions at Madrid-based Cintra, according to his company biography page.

“Mr. Espinosa comes with a proven track record in complex infrastructure management and is well positioned to lead 407 ETR through its next phase of growth and operational excellence. His global experience will be instrumental as we continue to drive innovation, enhance the customer experience, and deliver long-term value to our stakeholders,” said 407 International Board Chair David McFadden in the release.