People news from R. J. Corman, Ports of Indiana and Sound Transit

R. J. Corman Railroad Co. has appointed Donnie Stilwell as vice president of operations south. He will report to company President Ray Goss. Stilwell will direct the development and implementation of transportation plans and safety initiatives for the southern region, company officials said in a press release. Stilwell has 27 years of railroad industry experience, including leadership positions at BNSF Railway Co., including assistant vice president of merchandise, service design and bulk ops service design; general director of intermodal continuous improvement; general manager of the California division; and general director of transportation for the Chicago division. 

The Ports of Indiana has hired David Parrott to serve as chief operating officer. He has 30 years of experience in the marine industry, including as CEO of Liberty Terminals; vice president of operations at Metro Ports, a stevedoring and terminal services provider; and international logistics manager for Schneider Logistics and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. As COO, Parrott will oversee operations and lead initiatives to increase cargo shipment, expand property development and launch new container operations, according to a Ports of Indiana press release.

Sound Transit announced Victoria Baecher Wassmer and Hughey Newsome will lead the agency’s Finance and Business Administration (FBA). Wassmer will serve as deputy CEO of the FBA, while Newsome takes on the position of chief financial officer, reporting to Wassmer. The two will ensure the agency can affordably deliver the Link light-rail expansion program, Sound Transit officials said in a press release. Most recently, Wassmer served as assistant secretary and CFO at the U.S. Department of Transportation. Newsome comes to Sound Transit from Piston Group, an automotive manufacturing company where he was CFO, Sound Transit officials said.