Rail Roundup: Enstructure Acquires Patriot Ports; TNW, OneRail Coalition Make Executive Moves

Wellesley, Massachusetts-based terminal and logistics company Enstructure plans to acquire Patriot Port Holdings, a sister company of short line operator Patriot Rail, as a way to expand its presence along the East Coast and at inland river terminals.

The two have entered into a definitive agreement in which Enstructure will purchase the ports division of Patriot Rail & Ports for an undisclosed amount. Closing will occur in early July. Patriot Ports, which conducts breakbulk, specialty cargo and cold storage operations, has six terminals in Jacksonville, Florida; Savannah, Georgia; Mobile, Alabama; and Sunny Point, North Carolina. 

The company has an industrial warehouse capacity of 10.2 million cubic feet, which helps Patriot Ports handle a diverse range of cargo, including forest products, poultry, seafood, steel products and military equipment, Patriot Ports said.

"We are thrilled to welcome Patriot Ports to the Enstructure family of companies," said Matthew Satnick and Philippe De Montigny, co-CEOs of Enstructure. "The combination will significantly enhance our leading East Coast and Inland River System terminal network serving bulk, breakbulk and cold storage customers. Patriot Ports further expands our terminal network into high-growth markets and broadens our ability to provide best-in-class service to our customers." 

Once Enstructure completes the acquisition, the company will have an operating footprint of 12 terminals along the East Coast and within the inland river system. The footprint will consist of approximately 3.2 million square feet of industrial warehouse capacity, including 19.2 million cubic feet of cold storage.

TNW Names New Vice President Of Finance

Dave Hunter is the new vice president of finance for TNW Corp., a short line and logistics operation headquartered in Dallas.

Hunter will provide oversight for TNW's assets, controls, accounting and measurement processes, and treasury function.

Hunter will report to TNW CEO Paul Treangen.

Prior to TNW, Hunter served as vice president of finance and controller at Medecision and corporate controller at Layered Tech. 

Hunter's "acumen in finance and leadership will help us drive process improvements and continue to strengthen our financial performance as the company continues to grow," Treangen said.

TNW operates three short-line railroads with three transload facilities in Texas, and it owns what it says is the largest railcar storage facility in the U.S.

OneRail Coalition Appoints New Leaders

Rail advocacy group OneRail Coalition has named existing Deputy Director Devon Barnhart as its executive director and Liz Hill as deputy director.

"Their combined knowledge of rail issues and policymaking and credibility with key stakeholders and policymakers will continue to move the OneRail Coalition forward," said Chuck Baker, OneRail board chair and president of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association. 

Prior to joining OneRail in 2019, Barnhart served as subcommittee staff director for the Transportation and Safety Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee. She has also served as director of government affairs and outreach for Smart Growth America, as a legislative assistant in the Senate and as legislative counsel for a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

"Now more than ever, rail is a vital part of a strong economy, a cleaner environment and a safer transportation system," Barnhart said. "As polls show that more Americans are recognizing U.S. freight and passenger rail as a solution to climate change and infrastructure issues, I'm excited to continue OneRail's important work."

Hill most recently served as staff director for the Rail, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives' Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I). She also served as director of Pacific Northwest policy, working with T&I Committee Chair Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., and as professional staff for the rail subcommittee. She also served as a legislative assistant for Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and campaign manager for DeFazio's reelection campaign.

"Under Devon's and Liz's leadership, OneRail will have the right team at the right time to do even more to raise awareness of the many economic, environmental and safety benefits of freight and passenger rail and to advocate for policies that support the rail industry and the good-paying jobs it provides," said outgoing OneRail Coalition Director Anne Canby. Barnhart will replace Canby, who is stepping down after being with the coalition since 2009. 

"Over the years, [Canby] brought together a wide variety of stakeholders in support of a robust U.S. freight and passenger industry while continually expanding and strengthening the coalition," Baker said. "Her expertise in transportation policy, practical experience in managing significant transportation systems, deep connections with industry as well as local, state and federal government, and perhaps most importantly her relentless optimism and drive for improvements to the nation's transportation system have been tremendous assets to OneRail and our mission. We are beyond grateful for her excellent stewardship."

Deputy Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose said, "Throughout her career, and most recently as founder of OneRail, Anne has laid the foundation for a second rail revolution. We, the Biden-Harris administration, plan to honor her by delivering on that vision. Anne's knowledge and dedication are truly remarkable and serve as an example to others. She has been a mentor to many of us in transportation, and we wish her the best."

OneRail Coalition is unaffiliated with OneRail, a final-mile technology provider.

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