Reading & Northern promotes Berndt, Geschwindt to VP

The Reading & Northern Railroad announced yesterday the promotions of Daren Geschwindt to vice president of distribution services and Dustin Berndt to vice president of motive power.

Berndt joined the Port Clinton, Pennsylvania-based railroad in 2000, when he started in the locomotive shop. In 2012, he was named assistant VP of motive power in recognition for his work to improve the locomotive fleet. Along with the engine house crew, Berndt ensures the safety and efficiency of the fleet, according to a company press release.

Geschwindt began working for the Reading & Northern in 1994, when he was hired as assistant traffic clerk. He was named director of operations compliance in 2003, assistant VP of operations planning in 2009, assistant VP of customer service operations in 2012, and assistant VP of merchandise traffic in 2016. In that capacity, he also was the point person on the acquisition and restoration of service to the railroad's Ransom Warehouse as well as trucking operations for the company.

Berndt reports to Executive Vice President of Operations Tyler Glass, while Geschwindt reports to President Wayne Michel.

"It is always a pleasure to promote home-grown talent," said Michel. "Dustin and Daren have been with us for the better part of the last two decades. They have both shown tremendous growth. Dustin proved himself both a master mechanic and an excellent supervisor. As our locomotive fleet grew, Dustin grew with it. Now we have close to 50 locomotives and we have a superb leader in Dustin."