Rail supplier news from Wabtec, Balfour Beatty, Stadler, FreightCar America, Quest, Hatch Mott MacDonald and WAGO (May 15)

Wabtec Corp. named Albert Neupaver executive chairman and promoted Raymond Betler to president and chief executive officer, effective yesterday. Betler also was appointed to Wabtec's board. Neupaver has served as Wabtec's chairman and CEO for the past year, after joining the company as president and CEO in 2006. Betler has served as president and chief operating officer for the past year. He joined Wabtec in 2008 as vice president and group executive of the company's Transit Group, and was promoted to COO in 2010.

The city of Charlotte, N.C., chose Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc.'s (BBII) Transit Division to build the track and systems components of the new Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) LYNX Blue Line Extension, as well as the Blue Line Capacity Expansion Project. BBII will be responsible for the construction of the ballasted track, traction power system, overhead catenary system, train control, communications and other systems along the alignment. BBII's Traction Power Group will be responsible for providing 11 traction power substations. As part of the Capacity Expansion Project, BBII will be responsible for lengthening existing light-rail station platforms and adding additional power supply stations to accommodate the improved service.

Stadler Rail obtained a $1 billion contract from the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) to provide 29 EuroCity trains for the future international New Railway Link through the Alps. The multi-system trains will be approved for use in Switzerland, Italy, Germany and Austria, according to a company press release. The world's first single-decker, low-floor high-speed train complies in full with the terms of the Act on the Elimination of Discrimination against People with Disabilities, Stadler Rail officials said.

FreightCar America Inc. named Dana Koenig vice president of sales for the Eastern U.S. region. Koenig's background includes 23 years of experience in rail-related businesses, including rail-car leasing. She has worked in various capacities with Bank of America, Mitsui Rail Capital L.L.C., Bombardier Capital Rail, ConAgra Trade Group, Bunge Corp. and Union Pacific Railroad.

Quest Capital Group L.L.C. announced Jordan Ayers has been promoted to president and chief executive officer. Ayers previously was managing director and the founder of Quest, according to a company press release. Prior to founding the company, he was vice president of chassis at TAL International. Also, Douglas Hoehn has joined Quest as executive vice president and a member of the board. He will be responsible for developing and implementing new strategies and products to support Quest’s diverse customer base. Hoehn previously was senior VP of sales for Asset Intelligence.

Hatch Mott MacDonald named Jennifer Moczygemba a senior project manager in the firm's rail and transit practice in Dallas. She served more than two decades with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Most recently, as TxDOT's rail system section director, she developed a $10 million freight- and passenger-rail program.

WAGO Corp. named Michael Savittieri regional sales manager for Arizona, New Mexico and southern Nevada. Savittieri brings more than 17 years of experience to WAGO in the aerospace, instrumentation, military and automotive markets. Prior to joining WAGO, he was a regional sales manager for Yokogawa, Badger Meter and HBM Inc., according to a company press release.