Florida East Coast makes managerial changes in four departments

Florida East Coast Railway L.L.C. (FEC) recently made several organizational changes in its mechanical, engineering, advanced technology and purchasing/materials departments.

In the Mechanical Department, Bill James has joined the regional as assistant vice president and chief mechanical officer. He spent 31 years with CSX Transportation, most recently as a plant superintendent in Waycross, Ga.

In the Engineering Department, FEC tabbed Jimmy Neece to fill the newly established position of chief engineer-bridges and facilities. He previously oversaw maintenance of way (MOW), work equipment and bridges. Chief Engineer-Design and Construction Charles Stone now assumes responsibility for MOW in addition to his current duties.

Also in the department, Randy Bacon and Hector Flores were named assistant chief engineer-MOW and manager-design and construction, respectively. Bacon most recently was a customer account manager with Siemens and Flores was a civil engineer with H&T Consultants.

In the Advanced Technology Department, Rod Keefe has joined the railroad as AVP of advanced technology. He will lead the FEC's review and implementation of liquified natural gas and positive train control (PTC) initiatives. Keefe most recently was director of energy, strategy and investment recovery for CSX.

In addition, Tom Hickenlooper has been named director of PTC after a long career with Quantum and Siemens, where he was senior systems engineer-PTC design authority prior to joining the railroad; and Tom Dutrieux has been named manager of energy and process improvement, joining FEC from CSX, where he was manager of fleet performance.

Finally, in the Purchasing/Materials Department, Jim Fronckoski — a 31-year CSX veteran who most recently was procurement manager-mechanical — has joined the FEC as director of purchasing and materials to lead the department. In addition, Rob Markum was promoted to senior manager of purchasing and materials-mechanical and Jason McMaster was named manager of purchasing-engineering. McMaster most recently was an engineering manager for Gerdau Steel.