People in the news

Class Is

• Union Pacific Railroad named Michael Rock vice president of external relations to succeed Mary McAuliffe, who plans to retire in early 2008.
  
• BNSF Railway Co. named Rob Karov assistant VP of labor relations to succeed Dennis Merrell, who retired Oct. 31.
  
• As part of a management reorganization, Kansas City Southern promoted Scott Arvidson from senior VP and chief information officer to executive VP and CIO of KCS, and EVP and chief operating officer of The Kansas City Southern Railway Co.; Warren Erdman, from SVP of corporate affairs to EVP of corporate affairs for KCS; Larry Lawrence, from SVP of strategies and staff studies, and assistant to the chairman to EVP and assistant to the chairman of KCS; and William Nolen, from VP of transportation to SVP of operations for Kansas City Southern de México S.A. de C.V. to succeed Manuel Zulaica, who left the company. KCS also appointed Adam Godderz associate general counsel.

Short lines

• Maggie Silver retired as chairman of the Pinsly Railroad Co., which her late father Samuel Pinsly started in 1938. The company promoted Michael Rennicke to VP and general manager of the Pioneer Valley Railroad and a Railroad Distribution Services unit in Massachusetts; and Angela Depalo, to director of human resources. … The Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad Co. appointed Garland Horton president to succeed Edward Lewis, who will retire at year’s end but continue to serve as chairman.
  
• The Adrian & Blissfield Rail Road Co. named Barbara Lasater director of human resources and chief administrative officer.

In transit

• Ralign Wells was named deputy administrator for operations for the Maryland Transit Administration to succeed Kathryn Waters, who accepted a leadership position with the American Public Transportation Association.

Supply side

• Harsco Corp. named Geoffrey Butler president of the corporation and CEO of the Access Services and Mill Services groups.
  
• Balfour Beatty Rail Inc. named Chris Durden VP of business development.
  
• RailWorks Corp. named James Hansen VP of business development for the track construction divisions.
  
• GATX Corp. appointed Robert Zmudka VP and executive director-strategic sales; and Katie Hadenfeldt, director of strategic sales.
  
• STV Inc. appointed Richard Amodei SVP and chief strategic growth officer.
  
• 10East Corp. promoted Jimmy Morgan, who had been managing the video production department, to director of sales and marketing. 10East also hired Jason Ridge to succeed Morgan.