Rail supplier news from AREMA, Railhead, CTLGroup, Columbus Castings and DVB (Aug. 15)

Larry Etherton has been named interim executive director and chief executive officer of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA), according to AREMA's website. Previously an AREMA president, Etherton succeeds Charles Emely, who had led the association since 1998. Etherton retired as director of engineering at Norfolk Southern Corp. in 2009. He began his career in 1969 as a student engineer at Norfolk and Western Railway, an NS predecessor company. A life member of AREMA, he previously served the association as president from 2007 to 2008.

Railhead Corp. is marking its 50th anniversary this month. The company was founded by Harry Robertson as a tool repair business and manufacturing representative for the railroad industry. As the business grew, it evolved from a representative to a manufacturer. In 2004, Joseph Donnan became president and owner of Railhead after serving 10 years as vice president of sales. During his tenure, the company has grown into three divisions serving rail, maritime and mining operations by providing LDVR's, LED lighting and air tools, according to a company press release.

CTLGroup announced Cibor Geoconsultants and CTLGroup have formed an alliance to jointly pursue and execute complex engineering and materials science projects in the United States and elsewhere. A particular focus will be serving private and public clients in the infrastructure, energy, and oil and gas sectors. The CTLGroup/Cibor alliance will address problems for clients in forensic geotechnical engineering, cement based materials, structural assessment and structural health monitoring, according to a company press release.

Columbus Castings has named Brett Holst executive vice president of sales and marketing. He has more than 30 years of experience in the rail industry, most recently at The Timken Co. Holst also served stints at Amsted Industries and Progress Rail Services.

DVB Transport (US) L.L.C. announced Michael Mahoney has joined its New York land transport finance team as a senior vice president. He has more than 20 years of experience in asset finance, with more than half of that in the rail sector. Previously, Mahoney worked at GE Capital, where he led the locomotive operating leasing program and earlier managed the company's rail finance lease portfolio.