Through an online poll, Railway Age subscribers nominated a large group of active (non-retired) individuals from the North American freight, switching/terminal and passenger railroad; rail transit; government agency; and supplier communities. We are pleased to announce the top 15 individuals who they believe to be most influential in 2026 and who embody an entrepreneurial spirit anchored in a commitment to service, safety, and shaping the next generation. Congratulations, all!
Farrukh Bezar
Senior Operating Partner, Littlejohn & Company
A transportation and logistics industry strategist and analyst for more than 25 years, Farrukh Bezar supports portfolio companies in the Industrial and Commercial Services areas, including transportation and logistics, at Littlejohn & Company. Previously, he served CSX; most recently as Chief Strategy Officer, and earlier as Senior Vice President of Marketing. Bezar supported CSX’s acquisitions of Pan Am Railways and Quality Carriers and spearheaded the reengineering of the Class I railroad’s marketing function and the formation of its current Industrial Development, Transloading and Regional Sales teams. He joined CSX from Lynwood Partners, an advisory firm he founded and led as Managing Partner. He has also held senior leadership roles at Clarendon Capital, Booz Allen Hamilton and A.T. Kearney. Bezar sits on the Boards of RailPros, Imperative Logistics Group, Liquid Tech Solutions, Buske Logistics, and the Northwestern Transportation Advisory Council, and is the former Chairman of STG Logistics. “In this period of sluggish growth with consolidation on the horizon, he is a trusted advisor to several key stakeholders and is considered one of the railroad industry’s true thought leaders,” a nominator noted.
Michelle Bouchard
Executive Director, Caltrain
Named the first permanent Executive Director of Caltrain in 2022, Michelle Bouchard has been a trailblazer for rail in the Bay Area and nationally. She manages an operating budget of $260 million, oversees $132 million in capital projects, and leads an agency that provides a critical transit link between San Francisco and the South Bay that has been in operation for 162 years. Under her leadership, Caltrain has reached several significant milestones. They include the completion of the $2.44 billion Electrification Project, which launched in 2024, delivering ridership that far surpassed the previous post-COVID incremental gains; and the implementation of Positive Train Control and completion of the agency’s Strategic Business Plan. Bouchard has more than 30 years of transit industry experience. She spent 25 years in Caltrain’s Rail Division, where she conceptualized and implemented the Baby Bullet express service that boosted ridership, and during a hiatus from the agency, she was a group manager for San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, where she led the eBART and Oakland Airport Connector projects. Bouchard returned to Caltrain in 2015 as Chief Operating Officer. Bouchard is Board Chair of the Commuter Rail Coalition, where she has mapped the association’s first Strategic Plan, including succession planning.
Justin Broyles
President and CEO, R.J. Corman Railroad Group, LLC
With 25 years of railroad experience—and a railroading family heritage that spans four generations—Justin Broyles has led commercial strategy, emergency services and storm response, construction initiatives, and national account management across the industry. He joined R. J. Corman in 2001 and advanced through a series of leadership roles before serving three years as Chief Commercial Officer at Patriot Rail. He returned to R. J. Corman in 2018 as Executive Vice President, Commercial Affairs, directing marketing and sales for the company’s portfolio of short line railroads, which grew from 11 to 19; managed Class I relationships across the organization; and helped lead the company’s Storm Team efforts. According to one of his nominators, Broyles “demonstrates an ability to translate market insights into practical field-ready execution and build teams aligned around safety, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.” He is a member of the AAR’s Board, Chair of the STB’s Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council, Chair of the ASLRRA, and a member of the Norfolk Southern and BNSF short line caucuses. Also, Broyles recently completed his term as Chair of the Short Line Safety Institute and previously served on the MARS Executive Committee and the Board of the FRA Women in Rail research project.
Brian Cornick
President and CEO, Cando Rail & Terminals
Under Brian Cornick’s direction since 2015, Cando Rail & Terminals has significantly expanded its service offerings, which attracted private equity investment in 2018, followed by the company’s acquisition by a global infrastructure investor in 2022; strengthened its Safety and Human Resources functions; and earned national recognition for its industry-leading safety culture. Cando has also maintained its standing as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for the past nine consecutive years. Most recently, the company announced an agreement to acquire Savage’s rail services business. Once the deal closes, the company will have 80 first- and last-mile rail service operations, 36 owned rail terminals, and three short lines. This transaction represents Cando’s fourth acquisition in just over two years—together accounting for more than $1 billion in capital investment. Before joining Cando, Cornick served for 13 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Navigator. He also held senior leadership roles across operations, business development, and client services, including as President and CEO of a technology-enabled business process outsourcing company. Cornick sits on the boards of the Railway Association of Canada and the Western Transportation Advisory Council in Canada.
Janet Drysdale
Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, CN
With 30 years of industry experience, Janet Drysdale has held senior roles in Stakeholder Relations, Finance, Sustainability, Corporate/Business Development, Investor Relations, and Sales & Marketing at CN, giving her a uniquely integrated perspective on the rail business and its evolving market demands. Currently, she leads the railroad’s commercial organization, overseeing sales, marketing, and customer strategy, and serves as Chair of the Board for the Railway Association of Canada, where she helps shape policy and advocacy for Canada’s rail sector. Drysdale has also served as an independent director of Rumo S.A., Brazil’s largest freight railway. Her leadership and impact have earned national and industry recognition, including being named as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in the executive leadership category by WXN, and a 2020 honoree of Railway Age’s Women in Rail program for her innovation and collaborative leadership. According to a nominator, Drysdale has navigated teams “through consistent challenges and opportunities in the past 30 years, ranging from economic cycles, geopolitical uncertainties, and supply chain disruptions before and after the pandemic, to name a few. She is well-respected for her approach and is a future CEO within the Class I industry.”
John Fleps
Vice President and Chief Safety Officer, Norfolk Southern
As Norfolk Southern’s Vice President and Chief Safety Officer, John Fleps leads the company’s safety strategy across its 22-state network. He is responsible for strengthening safety culture and advancing performance through ongoing education and committed leadership. Since being appointed in 2023, Fleps has played a key role in reinforcing the value of safety across the organization—aligning frontline engagement, accountability, and operational excellence to drive continuous improvement while supporting the railroad’s broader business goals. His approach emphasizes individual ownership, proactive risk reduction, and the integration of safety into every decision. Fleps joined Norfolk Southern in 2006, holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Vanderbilt University, and brings extensive operational experience to his work. He is widely recognized for translating safety strategy into practical execution and fostering a culture where safety drives performance.
Michael Keroullé
President, Alstom Americas
Michael Keroullé is responsible for executing Alstom’s strategy across the United States, Canada, and Latin America. He leads 15,000 employees who design, manufacture, install, operate, and maintain passenger rail solutions for customers in the Americas and beyond, with a comprehensive portfolio of trains, turnkey systems, signaling, infrastructure, and digital rail solutions, as well as complete services and operations. Since taking on his role in 2021, Keroullé’s team has helped launch the NextGen Acela trains and the Eglinton Crosstown LRT in Toronto, and helped launch and expand Montreal’s REM automated light metro system. Under his leadership, the region has also doubled its order intake, including the New Subway Trains fleet for Toronto’s subway, the operations and maintenance for GO Transit and UP Express in the Greater Toronto Area, the M9A for New York’s LIRR and Metro-North, commuter railcars for NJ Transit, and SEPTA’s first Alstom light rail vehicle contract in the United States, as well as Mexico’s Tren Maya project, providing trains and signaling. In addition, during Keroullé’s tenure, Alstom has further strengthened its position in automated people mover operations and maintenance, and is the largest private operator of passenger rail services in North America. Over his three-decade career, Keroullé has held senior P&L leadership roles on four continents—Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia, and the Americas—building and leading multicultural teams through growth and post-merger integration.
Kendall (Ken) Koff
CEO, RailPros
Ken Koff has more than 40 years of experience in the railroad industry. He has served as a corporate officer for more than 75 rail carriers from large freight railroads to short line rail holding companies, and passenger transit agencies across North America. He joined RailPros in 2015, and under his leadership the company has expanded its footprint across North America, with offices across the continental U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Koff’s focus has always been providing excellent customer service and scalable growth, with an emphasis on building engaged, strong teams. He is passionate about workplace and railroad safety, leadership training, succession planning, and continuous improvement. Koff is also an avid reader, and he enjoys swapping book recommendations with his team. Born in a small mining town in Nevada, Koff now resides in Grapevine, Tex. He has served in numerous leadership roles for railroad industry organizations, including AREMA, and believes strongly in giving back. When he is off the clock, he can be found spending time with his family, volunteering through his local church, and staying active in local politics.
Zane Peterson
Vice President, Global Sourcing, The Greenbrier Companies
In his role as Vice President of Global Sourcing, Zane Peterson focuses on supply strategy, risk mitigation, and logistics management. He joined Greenbrier in 2002 and has more than 25 years of experience in supply chain management. Before joining The Greenbrier Companies, he held positions in the apparel and high-tech industries. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Ohio Castings, AXIS, and GG Synergy. Zane has an M.B.A. from the University of Portland with an emphasis in global business and finance and a B.A. in business administration with an emphasis in supply chain management from Portland State University. He is a Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) through the Institute of Supply Management and has completed Leadership coursework at Duke University.
Doug Ryhorchuk
Senior Vice President of Operations, CSX
Doug Ryhorchuk serves as CSX’s Senior Vice President of Operations, overseeing the railroad’s extensive operational network. He leads strategy, efficiency, and safety across train operations, as well as the mechanical and engineering maintenance functions. Since joining CSX in 2024 as Vice President of Transportation, Ryhorchuk has been instrumental in overseeing the efficient movement of trains and building a strong operations team. A proven operational leader, he has consistently driven excellence and innovation in every aspect of his work. Ryhorchuk brings more than four decades of experience in the railroad industry. He began his career as a track laborer at CN and advanced through a variety of leadership roles, including General Manager of the Alberta and British Columbia regions and Regional Vice President of Western Canada. In his previous role as Senior Vice President at CN, Ryhorchuk led the Mechanical and Engineering functions, spearheading critical safety initiatives and leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency. He also served as Senior Vice President of Network Operations, where he gained valuable expertise in crew planning and network capacity management. Ryhorchuk’s extensive experience, strategic vision, and proven leadership make him an asset to CSX’s team of great railroaders.
Kathleen Smith
Vice President, Industrial Products, Norfolk Southern
With more than 30 years of experience, Kathleen Smith has played a pivotal role in the commercial sector of rail transportation. Her extensive career includes a progression of responsibilities in industrial development, real estate, market research and forecasting, marketing and sales, and customer service. Currently, Smith leads a commercial team of 185 professionals, managing more than $7.5 billion or approximately two-thirds of Norfolk Southern’s total revenue. She is actively engaged in major projects that address customers’ logistical challenges, offering innovative rail solutions to meet their needs. Smith serves on boards including the Grady Health Foundation, the National Freight Transportation Association, and the Northwestern University Transportation Center Business Advisory Council. She also previously served on the Georgia Allies board, supporting the state’s economic development initiatives.
Jeb Stotter
President and CEO, North Shore Railroad Company & Affiliates
A fifth-generation railroader, Jeb Stotter started his career at Northumberland, Pa.-based North Shore Railroad Company & Affiliates 25 years ago in the Customer Service Department. He quickly rose through the ranks, taking the throttle as President and CEO in 2017. “From his first day at the railroad, Jeb never wavered on his belief that employees, customers, and the community should be the primary beneficiaries of the company,” which comprises six short lines, a nominator told Railway Age. Stotter prioritizes people over metrics and makes himself available to each employee not only as a boss, but also as a mentor. Additionally, he has restructured North Shore to better meet rail customers’ needs and to create a healthy work/home life balance for employees. Stotter encourages his team to volunteer and be involved in their communities and leads by example. Under his leadership, North Shore and its affiliated companies have earned more than 60 awards and accolades, plus numerous Jake safety awards from the ASLRRA.
Daniel (Danny) Torres
Senior Vice President of Network Operations, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC)
Danny Torres is Senior Vice President of Network Operations at CPKC, where he oversees intermodal and automotive operations and manages network performance across a 20,000-mile system spanning the United States, Mexico, and Canada. His responsibilities include capacity planning, operating technology, interline strategy, crew management, and equipment and locomotive distribution. Torres began his railroad career nearly 29 years ago as a brakeman and conductor in Laredo, Tex., and has since held a wide range of leadership roles across both the U.S. and Mexico. He is known for a results-driven approach and a strong commitment to building high-performing teams that create long-term value. He holds a bachelor’s degree in global business management from the University of Phoenix and completed Michigan State University’s Rail Management Program. In 2017, he was named a Young Hispanic Corporate Achiever. Torres lives with his wife and enjoys time with his five children and grandson.
Justin R. Vonashek
President, MTA Metro-North Railroad
Justin R. Vonashek has more than 20 years of industry experience, including as Executive Vice President and COO at Metro-North commuter railroad, and in roles that boosted safety and compliance at Keolis Commuter Services and Chicago’s Metra. When named a Railway Age Fast Tracker in 2018 as Metro-North’s Vice President, Systems Safety, Vonashek’s goal was to move up within the railroad to Senior Vice President or President. He has since earned his way to SVP of Operations in 2020, to EVP and COO in 2023, and to President in 2025. Vonashek has reinforced a proactive safety culture, relaunching Safety Focus Days, establishing a Safety and Security Executive Committee to review data trends and recommend changes, and strengthening labor collaboration. These efforts contributed to multiple national and international recognitions, including UITP’s 2025 Regional Award, and APTA Safety and Emergency Management awards. Vonashek has also advanced the procurement of more efficient diesel-electric and battery-electric locomotives, implementation of advanced operational analytics, and the use of virtual reality for safety and workforce training. He has supported major infrastructure investments across New York and Connecticut, from state-of-good repair work and station accessibility improvements to the construction of four new Bronx stations as part of the Penn Station Access project. Equally focused on people, Vonashek launched an emerging leader development program and created an executive fieldwork initiative that places senior leaders on shifts working alongside frontline employees to strengthen connections and give management direct insight into day-to-day operations.
Tom G. Williams
Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, BNSF Railway
Tom Williams is Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at BNSF Railway, where he leads sales and marketing, customer service, and economic development initiatives. He joined the former Santa Fe Railway Company in 1993 in Schaumburg, Ill., and has held a range of leadership roles across intermodal, automotive, and industrial products marketing. Over the course of his career, he has advanced through key operational and commercial positions, including Assistant Vice President of Intermodal/Automotive Operations, Vice President of Industrial Products Sales, and Group Vice President of Consumer Products. Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in business finance from Indiana University Bloomington and an MBA from the University of Chicago, and completed Harvard University’s Advanced Management Program. He serves on several boards, including the Kelley School of Business Transportation Executive Board, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, National Association of Manufacturers, and TTX.
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