Asplund named Red River Valley & Western's next top exec

Red River Valley & Western Railroad Co. (RRVW) announced yesterday that it appointed Nate Asplund to succeed Andy Thompson as president and chief executive officer.

Most recently, Asplund served as BNSF Railway Co.'s assistant vice president-Mexico. His experience will help RRVW formulate its future strategy, said Martha Head, trustee for the family trust that owns the short line, which runs through North Dakota and Minnesota.

Asplund began his career at BNSF as an agricultural commodity transportation specialist. He then spent 13 years at Crowley Maritime Corp., including as director of international marketing. After rejoining BNSF in 2007, he led the Class I's public-private partnership group, which worked with local, state and federal governments to complete rail projects. He was promoted to AVP Mexico in 2010.

Thompson will retire by April 30. Under his leadership, RRVW grew to more than 100 employees involved in the transport of more than 60,000 freight cars annually, said Head.