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• Thales' Center of Excellence, which specializes in advanced train-control technology for urban transit-rail systems, has received a $10 million “Next Generation” research and development grant from the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. Thales will apply grant proceeds and a total of $66.5 million to R&D activities during the next five years. The company aims to improve energy efficient electric train operations (such as metros/subways and light rapid transit) to reduce greenhouse gases and conserve power usage.

• On March 11, GE Transportation delivered the final shipment of 80 Evolution® Series locomotives to the Egyptian National Railways (ENR). To date, 17,000 GE locomotives are in use in more than 50 countries, the company said. Last year, international locomotive orders generated more than 40 percent of the company’s locomotive-related revenue, GE said.

• Skanska USA has promoted Michael Cobelli from senior vice president and general manager to executive VP of Skanska USA Civil Northeast. A Skanska employee for more than 24 years, he has been instrumental in such projects as AirTrain and the JFK light-rail system, the company said. Skanska also promoted Sal Taddeo from VP of operations for the northeast to EVP for Skanska USA Civil Southeast. He also will oversee offices in Virginia Beach, Va., and Atlanta, as well as subsidiary Bayshore Concrete Products. Finally, Skanska promoted Ali Catik from VP of operations to EVP for Skanska USA Civil West. He also will oversee the California and Rocky Mountain districts, and creation of a new USA Civil District.

• Motion Sensors Inc. has received Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (woman-owned business) certification from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The company provides speed sensing and other electronic products for the rail industry.

• Transportation and logistics services provider Cornerstone Systems has named Mike Phillips sales representative. Based in Lincolnton, Ga., he will be responsible for intermodal, rail-car, trucking and logistics services for new clients, as well as current customers. Cornerstone Systems also announced it opened a new full-service office in Troy, Mich. The company operates other Michigan offices in Detroit and Grand Rapids.

• CIBER Inc. obtained a $1.3 million contract from Metro, the St. Louis metropolitan region transportation agency, to implement Oracle human resources, advanced benefits and payroll systems. The platforms will complement Metro's existing Oracle financials system, and replace outdated HR and payroll systems. The systems also will improve the efficiency of Metro's current HR system and help reduce administrative costs, CIBER said.