People news from Ports of Indiana, Railway Association of Canada (Dec. 19)

Maritime industry veteran Ian Hirt and senior rail executive Matt Service have joined Ports of Indiana to help develop new cargo and rail projects for the state, according to a press release issued by the port. Hirt will lead cargo development efforts for Ports of Indiana, including establishing new container shipments. Service will lead rail development efforts at all three ports and explore expansion projects outside the existing ports. Hirt previously served as director of Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor from 2017 to 2021, and now has an ownership interest in Benchmark Marine Agency. Service owns Service Rail Advisors and recently served as chief investment officer at Pioneer Lines, and executive vice president and chief operating officer for Patriot Rail.

The Railway Association of Canada has named Lora Smith vice president of public and government affairs. She will begin her new job on Jan. 8, 2024. Most recently, Smith served as director of corporate communications at CN, where she worked for 16 years. Her expertise includes marketing, corporate and crisis communications, brand strategies and digital communications, according to an RAC press release.