Rail supplier news from STV, Wabtec, RailWorks, Nomad, and Railway Interchange (March 2)

Former Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Prendergast has joined STV Inc. as executive vice president and chief strategic officer. He will work on strategic projects and forge and maintain relationships with U.S. and Canadian transit agencies. Prendergast also will serve as principal on the firm's major transportation projects. He'll report to STV President and CEO Milo Riverso. Prendergast retired Jan. 31 from the MTA, where he worked for more than 24 years.

Wabtec Corp. has signed a $97 million contract to provide signaling and communication services for TEX Rail, a new commuter-rail line being developed by the Fort Worth Transportation Authority in Texas. Under the contract, Wabtec will provide wayside signaling and communication services, including a control and command center. The 27-mile TEX Rail route will run from downtown Fort Worth to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The system is projected to serve more than 13,600 daily riders, according to Wabtec.

RailWorks Corp. has appointed John Brohm executive vice president responsible for the Ontario operations of PNR RailWorks Inc., the company's Canadian subsidiary. He'll lead operations for track, signals and communications, and major projects at PNR RailWorks. Brohm has more than 30 years of experience leading companies in the transit and rail industry. He previously served as president and chief executive officer of Thales Transport & Security based in Pittsburgh. Brohm also held prior leadership positions with Alcatel Transport Automation (U.S.) Inc.

Nomad Digital named Reece Donovan chief executive officer. He assumes the duties of Andrew Taylor, who stepped down from the role after four years. Donovan previously served as the company's chief operating officer for three years. Taylor will continue to serve as an adviser to Nomad's supervisory board and chairman of Nomad Tech, the company's joint venture with EMEF S.A., a Portuguese rail maintenance company.

Former Harley Davidson Co. Director of Communications Ken Schmidt has been tapped to give the keynote address at Railway Interchange 2017, which will be held Sept. 17-20 in Indianapolis. Schmidt played a role in "one of the most celebrated turnarounds in corporate history" during his time at Harley Davidson, Railway Interchange officials said in a press release. He will share stories about how to build a vocal customer base, create loyal corporate culture and develop motivating leaders. Railway Interchange combines the technical and education conferences of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) and the Coordinated Mechanical Associations with a major exhibition showcasing current technology, services and research. Norfolk Southern Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer Michael Wheeler will address the AREMA Annual Committee Chairs Luncheon on Sept. 19, while Progressive Railroading columnist and independent transportation consultant Tony Hatch will speak at the closing AREMA general session on Sept. 20.