Iowa Interstate reshapes leadership team

Iowa Interstate Railroad Ltd. has named several new appointments as a result of the company's succession plan.

Al Satunas has been promoted to chief operating officer. He will report to Joe Parsons, who recently was named the railroad's new general manager.

Satunas joined Iowa Interstate in 2008 as Illinois superintendent and promoted to chief transportation officer in 2010. He began his railroad career with the Southern Pacific Railroad  in 1992, Iowa Interstate officials said in a press release.

Satunas also served as terminal manager for Union Pacific Railroad and held positions at Peoria & Pekin Union Railway, RailAmerica Inc., OmniTRAX Inc. and H & H Trackworks Inc.

As COO, Satunas will be responsible for management of the transportation, engineering, locomotive and mechanical departments.

Succeeding Satunas as chief transportation officer is Mike Stuver, who will oversee freight movement across the system. He will report to Satunas.

As a result of those promotions, the system will be realigned into the Iowa and Illinois divisions, company officials said.

Meanwhile, the following appointments also were announced: Derek Mead, Iowa division superintendent; Jim Keatts, Iowa division road foreman of engines; Darby Destromp, Illinois division superintendent; and Brandon Pregler, Illinois division road foreman of engines.