E-mail: jrmccarren@comcast.net

Career Summary: Executive leadership positions in transportation companies covering start-up, turnaround and expansion situations. Led extensive infrastructure renewal and capacity increase projects, championed technological innovation and achieved levels of customer satisfaction rarely seen in the railroad industry. Dramatically improved efficiency and profitability. Actively promoted industry legislative agenda with Federal and State governments.

Key Positions:

9/04 – present co-CEO, Partners Rail Group

7/02 - present Chairman, Arkansas & Missouri Railroad

9/99-10/01 President and Chief Executive Officer,
Wisconsin Central System

12/98-10/01 Member Wisconsin Central Transportation Corporation board of directors.

7/96 - 8/99 Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer, Wisconsin Central System

1990-1996 President, Gateway Western Railway

1991 President, Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway

 

Education: SB Civil Engineering, SM Civil Engineering (Transportation Systems Analysis), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1978.

Membership in American Association of Railroad Superintendents

Professional Societies: Transportation Research Forum
Rail Applications Special Interest Group (Operations Research)
Transportation Research Board
American Railway Engineering & Maintenance Assn.

Employment:

9/04 – Present Partners Rail Group – Co-CEO

• Start-up company engaged in the provision of outsourced transportation services for the railroad industry
• Affiliated with Berkshire Partners and Greenbriar Equity

7/02 – Present Arkansas and Missouri Railroad Company – Chairman

• Principal owner of company from January 2004, as well as related equipment and logistics firm Allied Enterprises, Inc.
• A&M and affiliates provide local railroad, trucking and logistics services in northwest Arkansas and southwestern Missouri.
• Secured first major federal rail infrastructure loan for main line capital upgrade in 2003

1996-2001 Wisconsin Central System *

9/99-10/01 – President and Chief Executive Officer
7/96 – 8/99 – Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

• Increased revenues from $275M 1996 to $372M 2000.
• Increased operating income from $29M to over $100M in 2001 despite U. S. recession.
• Improved Operating Ratio from 81% to 75%.
• Dramatically improved safety performance.
• Organized rehabilitation and renewal of network.
• Expanded capacity and won contracts to handle other railroads’ traffic.
• Successfully completed acquisition of Union Pacific rail lines in 1997 expanding network to final configuration – resolved dispute with largest customer on acquired lines ending litigation and regulatory turmoil.
• Achieved “Quality Carrier” distinction from Logistics Management and Distribution Report every year – highest marks for railroads in 2000/01.
• Operated the largest integrated regional rail carrier in North America with 2,800 mi. /4,600 km. network in United States and Canada.

1990-1996 - Gateway Western Railway - President

• Founded railway together with New York and Chicago venture capital..
• Leveraged buyout of the East St. Louis, IL to Kansas City route of the Chicago Missouri and Western Railroad.
• Established contract carrier relationship with Santa Fe railway.
• Rehabilitated and renewed main line infrastructure.
• Established direct connections to eastern carriers.
• Sold company to Kansas City Southern Industries in 1996.

1991 – Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway – President (interim)

• Led regional railway during critical period after failure of original management group.
• Reduced expenses and stabilized operations
• Effected seamless transition to permanent new leadership.
• Common ownership with Gateway Western.

1987-1989 – Chicago, Missouri and Western - General Superintendent-Transportation

• Responsible for Transportation and Mechanical functions

1978-1987 – Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail)

• 1984-1987 - Assistant Division Superintendent

• 1983-1984 - Regional Superintendent of Industrial Engineering

• 1981-1983 - Director of Service Control

• 1978-1981 - Various Operating Department headquarters staff positions

Ongoing Railroad Related Activities:

1997 – Operation Lifesaver, Alexandria, Virginia, Board of Directors
1999 – Vice Chairman

Operation Lifesaver, Inc. is the national body devoted to safety at highway crossings and around railway rights of way. OLI coordinates and partially funds the activities of member organizations in 49 states, and produces nationwide rail safety media campaigns.

2002 – Rail Industry Working Group, Co-Chairman

The RIWG administers the Rail Industry Agreement which governs particular aspects of the terms of trade between large, Class I railroads and small Class II and Class III carriers.

2006 – Rail Shipper Transportation Advisory Council

RSTAC was established by Congress as part of the ICC Termination act and functions in an advisory capacity to the Surface Transportation Board, the Department of Transportation and Congress.

2004 – American Short Line and Regional RR Assoc., Board of Directors

The ASLRRA is the trade association for Class II and Class III carriers and spearheads the legislative agenda for its members.

*North American operations of Wisconsin Central Transportation Corp. which included Wisconsin Central Ltd., Fox Valley and Western, Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Co., Algoma Central Railway, Inc., Wisconsin Chicago Link Ltd. and WC Railcars.