Rail supplier news from RailComm, Koppers, TPSC, Nomad Digital, CTLGroup, Arup and AREMA (Dec. 9)

RailComm has provided a yard control system for a rail yard in Stevens Point, Wis. The yard is now able to wirelessly control 15 switches using RailComm’s Domain Operations Controller (DOC®) system and RADiANT™ data radios, as well as universal switch machine controllers and field control panels, according to a company press release.

Koppers Inc. announced two personnel changes in its Railroad and Utility Products and Services Division's Sales and Marketing group for the Southeastern United States. John Stahl, sales manager for the Southeast Region, will retire from Koppers on Dec. 31, and Jamie Skipper has been appointed the new sales manager for the region. During his 41-year career with Koppers, Stahl worked in key operations and sales positions in Georgia, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas. Skipper started with Koppers in 2004 as a pole yard supervisor in the Florence, S.C. facility. In 2007, he became logistics coordinator for the CSX Transportation account.

Scott McKelvie has been named vice president of sales at Transportation Products Sales Co. (TPSC). In his new position, McKelvie will be responsible for managing a team of account executives, AVPs of business development, and other sales staff. He has served TPSC for more than two years. McKelvie previously spent 23 years in various sales management roles, including positions in the rail and telecom industries.

Nomad Digital has been selected as part of the Future Fifty cohort, a group of high-growth companies chosen to receive support and funding from the United Kingdom government. Supported by the "Tech City UK" initiative, Nomad not only will benefit from government support and high-value professional services, but will be recognized as a U.K.-based technology pioneer, according to a company press release.

CTLGroup has named Brent Nixon president and chief executive officer. He will take over responsibilities currently held by Timothy Tonyan, who has served as interim president and CEO since June 14. Nixon is a 30-year engineer and military veteran in the construction industry. His expertise includes executive management, operational and business development experience with highly technical professionals and mission-focused teams in operational, professional service and academic organizations. Tonyan will serve as senior vice president, reporting to Nixon.

Arup has expanded its information technology and communications practice in the Americas to incorporate rail systems engineering with Associate Principal Ken Garmson. Assuming the role of IT and communications global skills leader, Garmson transferred from Arup's London office to New York City to fold rail systems and systems integration into the ITC practice.

The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) is calling for interested parties to submit papers on subjects of interest to the railway engineering community to be considered for publication or presentation at AREMA's 2014 annual conference and exposition, which will be held in Chicago Sept. 28-Oct. 1, 2014. The conference will include the following subject tracks, which are organized around AREMA functional groups and interests: communications and signals; engineering services; maintenance; passenger and transit; and structures and track. A separate sub-track within the C&S functional group session is held for topics related to information technology and positive train control.