Metra, the commuter rail agency serving Chicago, has named Alexander D. Clifford, an executive with Los Angeles Metro, to be its next executive director and chief executive officer. In Los Angeles, Clifford served most recently as executive officer, high-speed rail. While at Los Angeles Metro, Clifford worked as an ombudsman with the California High Speed Rail Authority to help facilitate the integration of high-speed train service into existing transportation corridors in Los Angeles County. He also oversaw his agency's interest in the Southern California Regional Rail Authority, operator of Metrolink commuter rail, and its interests in the Los Angeles-San Diego Rail Corridor Agency.

Clifford also served two terms on the City Council in Riverside, CA, from 1991 to 2000.