ASLRRA names Keeney VP of membership, exhibit services

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has hired Kathy Keeney as the association's vice president of membership and exhibit services.

A longtime ASLRRA contractor and exhibition manager, Keeney succeeds Cheryl Huyck, who retired earlier this year after leading the association's membership effort.

Keeney will focus on evaluating and promoting the membership value proposition for ASLRRA's more than 1,000 members, according to an association press release.

She also will focus bringing the annual Connections Conference and Exhibition planning in-house for ASLRRA after more than a decade of external show management. Previously, Keeney managed the show for ASLRRA on behalf of her former employer, The Journal of Commerce. For the past 15 years, she served as publisher of The Pocket List of Railroad Officials.

Additionally, Keeney will explore the potential for establishing a supplier committee within ASLRRA that would focus on expanding the profile and engagement of industry vendors beyond the annual exhibition, ASLRRA officials said.

"Kathy is joining our team at a critical time. Not only will she be an excellent person to expand on the great membership work done by Cheryl Huyck, but by bringing the exhibition in house, particularly at a time of growth, ASLRRA will be able to direct every revenue dollar to the benefit of ASLRRA members and convention attendees," said ASLRRA President Linda Bauer Darr.