Rail supplier news from RSI, GREX, Bombardier, Cornerstone Systems and Parsons (Nov. 9)

The Railway Supply Institute (RSI) has appointed Randall Thomure director of regulatory affairs and safety. He will oversee technical and regulatory strategies related to safety and operations, manage project committees and collaborate with members and stakeholders to promote rail-safety technology, RSI officials said in a press release. Thomure is the founder of Rail Asset Advisors LLC, a rail consulting company. He has held senior positions at rail-car companies including The Andersons and TrinityRail Group LLC.

Georgetown Rail Equipment Co. (GREX) has made $10,000 available to its employees who are Armed Forces veterans to donate to veteran charities of their choice. Although the company has supported veterans in the past, its leaders this year decided to ask veterans to determine which causes to support, GREX officials said in a press release. Armed Forces veterans make up 12 percent of the combined GREX and SENSR workforce. Charities that will receive donations include Semper Fi Fund, Wounded Warrior Project and Operation Homefront.

Bombardier Transportation signed two contracts to deliver 33 Traxx locomotives to European rolling stock leasing company Akiem for $128 million. The units will be delivered between 2019 and 2021, according to a Bombardier press release. The four-axle locomotive platform comes in three models.

Whirlpool Corp. has named Cornerstone Systems Inc. its intermodal carrier of the year. The honor is based on overall performance — which includes on-time pickup and delivery, tender/load acceptance and invoice accuracy — and strategic partnerships. Five finalists were selected from 20 intermodal providers in Whirlpool's network. Cornerstone Systems offers intermodal, rail-car consolidation and truck brokerage services.

Parsons has named Mike Johnson vice chairman and chief development officer. He will ensure the company's largest client and partner relationships include broad executive access, Parsons officials said in a press release. Johnson, who most recently served as president of Parsons Infrastructure, will report to Parsons Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Chuck Harrington.