Gravel to succeed Brault as president of Genesee & Wyoming Canada

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI) yesterday announced it appointed Louis Gravel president of Genesee & Wyoming Canada Inc. to succeed Mario Brault, who plans to retire in September.

Gravel most recently was general manager of the Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway for Rio Tinto/Iron Ore Co. of Canada (IOC). He also has managed IOC’s Canadian port operations since 2006.

Over the past 15 years, Gravel has served in various capacities at both the railroad and IOC, including superintendent of strategic rail projects and manager of the engineering department.

Genesee & Wyoming Canada governs the Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway; Goderich-Exeter Railway; Huron Central Railway; Southern Ontario Railway; St. Laurent & Atlantique Railroad; St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad (a U.S. road that's part of the Canada Region); Quebec Gatineau Railway; and a railroad under construction by KeRail.

"Louis brings a strong operating, commercial and leadership background to our Canadian rail operations," said GWI President and Chief Executive Officer Jack Hellmann in a press release. "In addition, his extensive knowledge of the Labrador Trough will support our service to that growing market."

Brault joined Genesee & Wyoming Canada in 2000 after a 22-year career with CN. A civil engineer, he has devoted his entire career to the railroad industry and has been active in a number of industry associations, including a stint as the first chairman of the Railway Association of Canada's Shortline Committee and vice chairman of its board, GWI officials said.

"Mario has led the transformation of [the] Canada Region, which has grown from two railroads in 2000 to eight today, and the region’s safety performance is among the best of [our] operations worldwide," said Hellmann. "We are grateful for Mario’s many contributions to GWI and the Canadian rail industry."