Rail supplier news from Gross & Janes, Bombardier, Siemens, Michael Baker, Auto Truck, and in memoriam: Robert Dillon (Sept. 27)

Gross & Janes Co. has named Bill Behan president. Mike Pourney will remain as chief executive officer responsible for strategic planning. The changes are part of a senior management succession plan for the company, according to a Gross & Janes press release. Additionally, Behan and Chief Financial Officer Mike DiRaimondo have purchased a minority equity ownership in the company. In December 2015, Behan joined Gross & Janes as vice president of plant operations. He has three decades of experience in the forest products industry, including the operation of a large sawmill in Brookhaven, Miss.

Bombardier Transportation and Chinese rolling stock manufacturer China Railway Rolling Stock Corp. have signed a strategic agreement to establish a framework for leveraging their strengths on selected projects that serve the global rail transportation equipment market, according to a Bombardier press release. Potential future cooperation includes Chinese and international market development, as well as shared manufacturing resources. Bombardier's presence in China includes six joint ventures and seven wholly foreign-owned enterprises.

Swiss freight-rail operator Railcare has ordered seven Vectron locomotives from Siemens. The contract includes locomotive service and maintenance for eight years, according to a Siemens press release. The AC-powered Vectron locomotives will haul freight in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The unsit can travel up to 99 mph.

Bonnie Shepherd has joined Michael Baker International as senior vice president and national market lead in the railroad and transit practice. Shepherd's 30 years of experience includes work in the rail and transit industry with a focus on multimodal transportation in architecture and engineering, according to a Michael Baker press release. Shepherd previously served as vice president of corporate strategy at Systra USA, where she focused on track, infrastructure, electrical and systems projects in North America.

Auto Truck Group has promoted Joe Foster to director of fleet sales. Foster joined the company in 2014 as a fleet sales manager in the Midwest. Last year, he was recognized as one of the company's "Circle of Excellence" winners based on exceptional growth in that territory, Auto Truck Group officials said in a press release. Before his time at Auto Truck Group, Foster worked in various roles at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, GE Capital Fleet Service and Chrysler.

PTSI Transportation Outside General Counsel Robert Dillon has died, the company announced yesterday. Dillion began his career as a bus operator for the Chicago Transit Authority while in school, and then served as a railroad consultant with the practice of Carl R. Englund Jr., as well as Day and Zimmerman. He later worked at PTSI Transportation, where he continued to offer legal and equipment leasing expertise for many years. Dillon also served as assistant corporate secretary and general attorney at Trans World Airlines, followed by stints at Polaris Aircraft Leasing and GE Capital Services. He was "truly an 'intermodal' transportation person," PTSI Transportation officials said in a press release. Dillon is survived by his wife, Nancy, three sons and grandchildren.