It’s retirement time for GWI’s Grossman

By Jeff Stagl, Managing Editor

A long-time mover and shaker in the short-line industry has called it quits. Robert Grossman, Genesee & Wyoming Inc.’s (GWI) vice president of government and industry affairs for the Oregon Region, retired June 30.

Last year, Jerry Vest succeeded Grossman as VP of government and industry affairs, and Grossman assumed a part-time role as head of government affairs for the region, which includes the Portland & Western Railroad.

Grossman, 67, joined GWI in 2002 after the company acquired Emons Transportation Group Inc., which he co-founded and led as chairman, president and CEO for more than 20 years.

Grossman began his short-line career in 1971, when Emons — a small private company at the time — acquired the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad. Emons later acquired a CSX Transportation line and formed Yorkrail, then combined the Maryland and Pennsylvania and Yorkrail into York Railway Co. The company eventually added the St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad Co., St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad (Quebec) Inc., Penn Eastern Rail Lines and an Auburn, Maine, intermodal terminal to its holdings.

The rail industry in general, and short-line industry in particular, changed dramatically during his 37-year career, Grossman says.

“It’s gone from a regulated, dinosaur of an industry to one where a real renaissance is going on,” says Grossman.

State of affairs

He helped initiate a state funding renaissance of sorts for short-line infrastructure by playing a prominent role in the formation of three state railroad associations during the past decade. In 1996, Grossman led the creation of the Keystone State Railroad Association in Pennsylvania and served as the organization’s first president.

“The previous state railroad association wasn’t effective and we helped spur funding for short lines in Pennsylvania,” says Grossman. “It became a good model.”

To the point Pennsylvania now is considered one of the nation’s top short-line funding states.

In 2004, Grossman helped form the Railroads of New York, which represents the interests of 30 regionals and short lines, and counts four Class Is as members.

“We didn’t want it to be just a short-line association,” says Grossman. “We wanted to get everyone at the table.”

Later in 2004, he also helped create the Oregon Rail Users League (ORULE) to bring together Class Is, short lines, passenger railroads, shippers, crop growers, engineers, consultants and others.

“Now, we could get all non-highway — other than airline — constituents at the table,” says Grossman.

Efforts bear fruit in Oregon

In 2005, ORULE secured state legislation that provided $100 million for non-highway transportation projects, including $46 million for railroads. Last year, the organization landed another $100 million, which the Oregon Transportation Commission approved for allocation last month.

“The states are where the money was for funding,” says Grossman. “The federal government is a different ball game.”

Grossman’s role with GWI was a brand new ball game of sorts after the holding company acquired Emons. GWI didn’t have an executive in charge of government affairs, and senior managers wanted Grossman to start up and head a government affairs department.

“My goal was to develop infrastructure funding for company,” he says, adding that GWI landed federal funds for six projects in the last highway bill.

Grossman also has been an active member of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s (ASLRRA) board since 1999. He served on the legislative policy and state associations/relations committees, and was a member of the North American Railroad Alliance.

“In all of these forums, [Grossman’s] counsel and thoughts were instrumental in guiding our decisions and the positive outcomes we experienced,” said ASLRRA Chairman Tom Schlosser in the association’s newsletter.

Now, Grossman plans to spend more time with his four grandchildren, who reside nine hours from his home. A boating enthusiast, he also will spend part of the summer on lakes.

Then, it’ll be time to find something to do, but not full time, he says. Retirement activities, such as boating, golfing and sitting around, won’t cut it very long for Grossman, who considers himself “very focused.”

“I want a mental challenge,” he says. “If I can’t find something to do in the industry, I’ll do volunteer work.”