Officers

Nick Edelen joined R. J. Corman in 2009 through the company’s Management Trainee Program. He excelled in the program and was subsequently hired as a Business Analyst. Nick quickly advanced within the company, becoming Business and Contract Manager, then Assistant Vice President of Business, and later Vice President of Operations, Railroad Services. In his current role, Nick oversees operations for various R. J. Corman companies, including Railroad Services Emergency and Non-Emergency Services, Material Sales, Distribution Centers, and Signaling. Nick has vast expertise in operations management and leadership, contract management, and building strategic partnerships. He was recognized as a Rising Star in the railroad industry by Progressive Railroading in 2018. Nick holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Georgetown College and a Certificate in Railway Management from Michigan State University. 

Chase Armstrong joined R. J. Corman in 2012. He has held numerous positions including Business Development Manager, Corporate Account Manager, Director of Sales, and Assistant Vice President of Commercial Development before taking on the role of Vice President of Commercial Development. In this position he oversees commercial activities for R. J. Corman's Contracted Services group which includes Railroad Services Emergency and Non-Emergency, Signaling, and Material Sales. Chase is responsible for building and executing sales plans for all R. J. Corman Contracted Services opportunities and communication with clients. He also has supervisory responsibility for territorial commercial development managers. Chase has a thorough understanding of the many facets of R. J. Corman and the railroad industry market landscape. He serves on the Board of Directors Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association. Chase also holds a BS in Government/Public Relations from Morehead State University.

Mark Boyle joined R. J. Corman in 2008 as a Staff Engineer. He has held various leadership positions in the Railroad Services company and now oversees the operations of its non-emergency divisions that perform work including track construction, maintenance of way, and industrial services. Mark has spent his entire career in the railroad industry, and he holds a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky. 

Casey Heath joined R. J. Corman in 1999 working in the company’s Shop facility, where he excelled in the processes for DOT logs and fuel tax reports. After holding numerous positions in the company with increasing responsibility, Casey advanced to the role of AVP of Staff & Purchasing. Casey oversees best practices for purchasing and ensures the highest value is garnered on the company’s behalf. He provides supervisory oversight for the Purchasing Department, plays a role in Storm Team coordination, works on special projects with Senior Management, and oversees various aspects of asset management. He has broad experience at R. J. Corman having served in a variety of positions in the Shop, Material Sales Company, Asset Management, and Storm Team. Casey brings a proactive approach and has valuable cross-functional understanding of company operations.  

Richard Barsalona joined R. J. Corman in 2019 and quickly advanced to the role of Signaling General Manager in 2020. He oversees the operations management, administration, production efficiencies, and financial strategy for the Signaling Company. Richard has over 30 years of engineering and project management experience. He has held many leadership positions in companies serving the automotive and industrial manufacturing sectors including roles with Ford Motor Company, Continental Automotive, and Big Ass Fans. Richard brings expertise in technical knowledge for improving production processes, project management, and engineering as well as people management skills needed to invest in the company’s human capital. He also holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from City College of New York and an MBA from the University of Detroit.

Raymond Goss, a veteran of the rail industry with over four decades of experience, joined R. J. Corman in 2019 after a 15-year career with Genesee & Wyoming Inc. Ray oversees all aspects and operations of R. J. Corman Railroad Company's short line railroads. Ray has a wealth of experience, having held a large variety of roles over his career, including: Senior Vice President of Engineering, Senior Vice President of Northeast Region, and Senior Vice President of New York and Pennsylvania Region while at G&W. Ray also spent five years at Amtrak Corporation as Division Engineer of the Northeast Division and held numerous positions during his 20 years at Canadian Pacific Railway. Ray is a graduate of the Wharton School of Business's Executive Development Program.

Justin Broyles rejoined R. J. Corman in 2018 after serving for three years as Chief Commercial Officer for Patriot Rail. Prior to that, he held various leadership positions within R. J. Corman, focusing on emergency services, storm response, construction, and national account management. He brings over 20 years of railroad industry experience. As Executive Vice President, Commercial Affairs, he oversees all commercial activity, including managing the marketing and sales teams, for R. J. Corman's 19 short line railroads. Justin is also responsible for Class I account management for all R. J. Corman companies and Storm Team efforts. Justin has a robust background in corporate account management, rail-related services, new business development, negotiations, mergers & acquisitions, supply chain logistics, and growing strong client relationships. He also holds a BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from Southern Illinois University. Justin holds several key positions in the transportation industry, serving as the Vice Chair of the Surface Transportation Board's (STB) Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC), the Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) Board of Directors, the Chair of the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI), and a member of the Executive Committee Board of Directors of the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS).

John Phillips joined R. J. Corman in 2014 as Assistant General Manager and advanced to the role of Vice President of Transportation. John provides strategic management and operational planning for short line operations and oversees operation managers across multiple territories. He serves as the point person for communicating with Class I partners on interchanges, implements new policies and procedures relating to safety and efficiency, provides budgetary oversight, and establishes local manager benchmarks along with the provision of managerial resources. John has over three decades of rail industry experience in operations, not only as a supervisor but as a conductor and engineer, and brings the strengths of employee relatability and on-the-ground problem-solving. He also holds RCO (remote control operator), conductor, and engineer certifications.

Shannon Drown joined R. J. Corman in 2019 as Director, Commercial Development and advanced to the role of Vice President of Commercial & Industrial Development. In this position, she leads the commercial development team, sales efforts, and key account management for the R. J. Corman Railroad Company. Prior to her position with R. J. Corman, Shannon held leadership positions with Union Pacific Railroad and CSX Transportation. Shannon holds a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky as well as a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute.

Ed Quillian joined R. J. Corman in 2008 and has held multiple leadership positions, advancing to the role of Vice President of Railroad Engineering. Ed manages all crews, maintenance, and capital projects affiliated with the R. J. Corman railroad infrastructure across all the company’s short lines. He has almost two decades of experience in engineering services for Class I and short line railroads and a broad knowledge of rail maintenance, construction, bridge, and signal operations in both working and managing capacities. Ed also holds a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky.

Todd Comer joined R. J. Corman with almost 30 years of experience in the railroad industry. He spent over 25 years at Norfolk Southern where he served in different capacities in the mechanical department, including Division Manager of Mechanical Operations and Regional Director of Mechanical Operations (Northern Region). Todd oversees maintenance for the entire fleet of R. J. Corman railcars and locomotives, including inspection processes, preventive maintenance plans, capital projects, operation of locomotive repair shops, and all third-party work for cars and locomotives. He also directs safety and DOT training for mechanical employees and ensures FRA and AAR compliance. Todd holds a bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services from Bluefield State College.

Jordan Sparr joined R. J. Corman in 2013 and has held numerous positions in the company with increasing responsibility. Currently, as R. J. Corman Railroad Company’s Vice President, Safety and Compliance, Jordan coordinates company-wide efforts to comply with Federal regulations and handles certification of FRA’s different CFRs (Codes of Federal Regulations). He also oversees safety and training initiatives across R. J. Corman’s short line railroads. He previously served as Assistant Division Manager, Manager of Safety and Operating Practices, and most recently, Director of Safety and Operating Practices. Jordan has a combined experience of more than 20 years in the railroad industry. Before joining R. J. Corman, he spent 14 years at Norfolk Southern, where he held various roles such as conductor, engineer, and yardmaster.

Nick Edelen joined R. J. Corman in 2009 through the company’s Management Trainee Program. He excelled in the program and was subsequently hired as a Business Analyst. Nick quickly advanced within the company, becoming Business and Contract Manager, then Assistant Vice President of Business, and later Vice President of Operations, Railroad Services. In his current role, Nick oversees operations for various R. J. Corman companies, including Railroad Services Emergency and Non-Emergency Services, Material Sales, Distribution Centers, and Signaling. Nick has vast expertise in operations management and leadership, contract management, and building strategic partnerships. He was recognized as a Rising Star in the railroad industry by Progressive Railroading in 2018. Nick holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Georgetown College and a Certificate in Railway Management from Michigan State University. 

Mike Robinson joined R. J. Corman in 2017 as Vice President of Commercial Development. Mike leads commercial development efforts on all logistics operations including switching, distribution center, mechanical car repair and trucking. He is responsible for market pricing, margin management, budget control, corporate relationships, and process improvement activities for administration functions. He brings strengths in executive leadership, sales, and human capital management from a background of leadership in a variety of industrial and retail industries. He also holds a BS in Public Relations and a MS in Occupational Health and Safety from Murray State University.

Greg Miller joined R. J. Corman in 2018 with over four decades of experience in mechanical railcar repair. Greg oversees the development and expansion of the company’s mechanical footprint within the R. J. Corman network. This allows railcars to be maintained at the site level which reduces out-of-service delays and offers significant benefits to customers. Greg has worked with mechanical departments for all Class I railroads and many major railcar leasing companies. His experience includes setting up major railcar repair facilities (including both mobile and base shop facilities) across the US and into Canada. Greg has held numerous leadership positions in the railroad industry.

Kelly McBee first joined R. J. Corman in 1999. Throughout his extensive experience at the company he has fulfilled many leadership roles with excellence and increasing responsibility. As Director of R. J. Corman Material Sales, Kelly is responsible for the commercial efforts, operations, and key account management of the company, including the Distribution Centers. He implements procedures for large volume efficiency, manages the operations that enable just-in-time deliveries, hi-rail delivery, delivery to point of installation, material kitted to customer specifications, and construction of track panels. Kelly brings years of experience in logistics leadership and material handling, extensive knowledge of R. J. Corman operations, and commitment to top-notch service.
 

Jerry Adams joined R. J. Corman in 1986 and has dedicated his career to the development of many facets of the R. J. Corman family of companies. He has worked on the company’s railroads alongside the company’s founder, managed the company’s shops and grounds, and led maintenance/repair work for countless projects. As President of Real Estate, Jerry is responsible for real estate, buildings and facilities, farming operations, railroad police, and special projects. He oversees the upkeep of numerous properties including the company headquarters and has deployed teams on repair and recovery work when needed across multiple states. Jerry is skilled team building, personnel management, and project coordination.   

Korey Colyer joined R. J. Corman in 2008. Korey is responsible for the management of the Finance Department and strategic planning for R. J. Corman Railroad Group. After several years in the company’s Shops & Buildings Department, Korey took on significant responsibility in the strategic development and initiatives of all R. J. Corman companies. He oversees general financial performance and related data, provides forecasting and budget management as well as financial reviews, assists in merger and acquisition activities, manages key projects, and has supervisory responsibility for the company’s legal department. Korey has over a decade of experience in railroad industry finance, holds a BA in Accounting, and holds an MBA from the University of Kentucky.

Josie Curtis joined R. J. Corman in 2008 already having over a decade of experience in Human Resources. As the VP of People Services, Josie is responsible for overseeing recruiting and hiring, employee training, the Management Training Program, and health and wellness. She has held several roles in the company, such as Employment Supervisor, Employment Manager, Director of Transportation and Recruitment, and Director of People Services before moving into her current position. She has vast knowledge of best practices for training, onboarding, counseling, labor laws, and specializes in recruiting. Josie also holds a BS in Business Management.

Casey Heath joined R. J. Corman in 1999 working in the company’s Shop facility, where he excelled in the processes for DOT logs and fuel tax reports. After holding numerous positions in the company with increasing responsibility, Casey advanced to the role of AVP of Staff & Purchasing. Casey oversees best practices for purchasing and ensures the highest value is garnered on the company’s behalf. He provides supervisory oversight for the Purchasing Department, plays a role in Storm Team coordination, works on special projects with Senior Management, and oversees various aspects of asset management. He has broad experience at R. J. Corman having served in a variety of positions in the Shop, Material Sales Company, Asset Management, and Storm Team. Casey brings a proactive approach and has valuable cross-functional understanding of company operations.  

Christina Booth-Jackson joined R. J. Corman in 2019, bringing 25 years of IT experience. As the Vice President of IT, Christina oversees the information technology team, business systems and IT assets, broadband and telecommunications planning, and infrastructure support for all R. J. Corman companies, championing the evolution of business systems that allow for organizational efficiencies. She ensures that internal and external customers have an excellent user experience regarding product support and service desk systems. Christina brings experience from her background as a software developer and IT Manager for 911 dispatching systems, extensive experience in the automotive industry initially that led her to become the Vice President of IT and Communications for a tier-one service provider to several major car manufacturers, and finally as Chief Information Officer for an aerospace and defense company. She also holds a BS in Computer Science, MS in Information Technology Management, and is CISM and ITIL 4 Foundations certified.

Dale Hawk, formerly with CSX, held various positions over his 32 years with the company. Prior to retirement he was the Sr. Vice President of Automotive Service Group. Mr. Hawk is currently a member of the National Freight Transportation Association.

Jim Oaks retired from CSX Transportation, Inc., as Assistant Vice President - Coal Development after 44 years of service in various capacities. He is an AREMA Committee One member; serves on the Board of Directors for Lynch Consulting Group and serves on the Cumberland College Board of Trustees. Mr. Oaks is a member of the Pittsburgh Traffic Club, CSX Capitol Connections and Leadership Kentucky Alumni Association.

Greg Fox began his career at Burlington Northern Santa Fe as a management trainee, after 30 years with the company he retired in 2016 as Executive Vice President of Operations. Throughout his tenure he held a variety of leadership roles. Positions held include: Vice President eBusiness, Vice President Technology Services, Chief Information Officer, Vice President of Engineering and Vice President of Transportation.

Terry Evans began his railroad career at Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) as a Management Trainee, and after 38 years with the company, he retired as the Vice President of Transportation. Evans held various positions at NS, including General Manager of Transportation for the Eastern Region, Vice President of Process Engineering, and, in 2002, Vice President of Operations Planning and Budgets.

Vern Graham retired from Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) as Vice President of United States Operations, and President of Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad, a subsidiary of CP, after 37 years in the industry. He began his railroad career in 1973 as a Maintenance-of-Way Gang Laborer at the Milwaukee Road. He has served on many industry boards, such as the American Railroad Engineering and Maintenance Association (AREMA) and American Association of Railroad Superintendents (AARS) and is presently a member of the board for LORAM Maintenance of Way.

Ron Batory began his railroad career in 1971 working for the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton (DT&I) Railroad. In 1994, after holding leadership positions at various railroads, Batory was named President of the Belt Railway Company of Chicago (BRC), the largest switching terminal in the U.S., jointly owned at the time by nine Class I railroads. His success at the BRC prompted CSX and Norfolk Southern Corporation to recruit him in 1998 to manage the partitioning of Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) as part of the merger. In 2004, Batory became President & Chief Operating Officer of Conrail until his retirement in April 2017. Mr. Batory went on to serve as U.S. Department of Transportation FRA Administrator from 2018 to 2021.