PATRICK GODDARD

CEO, BRIGHTLINE FLORIDA, MIAMI

Under Goddard’s leadership, Brightline began operations in 2018. Currently serving Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Orlando — with future stops in Stuart and Cocoa and plans to expand to Tampa, Brightline is America’s first private provider of modern intercity rail. It plans to connect additional city pairs too close to fly and too long to drive, including Las Vegas and Southern California. Goddard serves on the boards of the Miami Downtown Development Authority and the Orlando Sports Commission.

EDUCATION: Dublin Institute of Technology (BS), Trinity College Dublin (BSC)

FIRST JOB: Cleaning fish at my uncle’s fish market.

HOBBY: Our family is at a phase in life where my hobbies have to take a backseat. I have two boys, and right now there is nothing I enjoy more than watching their sporting events and traveling together.

INDUSTRY TREND: The traditional lines that separated business and leisure travel are dissolving, and companies in the hospitality and travel space need to be able to capitalize on this. “Bleisure” is a trend that is expected to become a multibillion-dollar sub-industry within the existing travel market. More than half of business travelers extend their business trips into personal trips multiple times each year. It’s a trend worth watching, and Brightline is ready to service this important sector.

SOMETHING SURPRISING
“I’m an Irishman who speaks French and Spanish.”