People news from ASLRRA and Port NOLA

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has named Gary Vaughn the recipient of the 2026 Schlosser Distinguished Service Award. Named for former ASLRRA Chair Thomas Schlosser, the award is ASLRRA's highest individual honor and recognizes long term, significant service to the ASLRRA and the short-line industry, association officials said in a press release. Vaughn will be honored April 14, 2026, at the ASLRRA Annual Conference and Exhibition in Minneapolis. Vaughn served on the Federal Railroad Administration's Railroad Safety Advisory Committee and was the first short-line industry chairman of the U.S. Department of Transportation's General Code of Operating Rules Committee, ASLRRA officials said. Vaughn started his career in the short-line industry in 1996, following stints at Norfolk & Western Railway and Norfolk Southern Railway. He joined Watco as safety director in 2003, where he remained until his retirement in 2019. During his tenure, Watco achieved numerous safety records, as Vaughn restructured the safety department and implemented workplace safety education programs. 

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) announced Morten Moller Jensen is the new chief operating officer (COO) to oversee port operations, including the management and delivery of the planned Louisiana International Terminal (LIT). He has more than 40 years of experience in global shipping, logistics and port management, Port NOLA officials said in a press release. Previously, Jensen served in senior executive roles around the globe, including at MEDLOG USA, Mexico Shipping Services, Maersk, Norden and APM Terminals. Most recently, Jensen was the terminal investment director at Terminal Investment Ltd. (TiL) in Geneva, Switzerland, which is one of Port NOLA's operating and financial partners for the LIT project. "The Louisiana International Terminal will be a catalyst for expanding Louisiana’s leadership in international commerce," Jensen said.