People News: Indiana Rail Road; Caltrax; WSP USA

The Indiana Rail Road Co. (INRD) has elevated three employees to Assistant Vice President positions. In addition, Caltrax, an independent railcar repair servicer, has hired a Sales and Business Development Director; and a WSP USA Vice President has received the Latino Leadership Conference award.

INRD—Railway Age’s 2012 and 2018 Regional Railroad of the Year—has promoted Brian R. Jonaitis, Shae M. LeDune and Josh T. Ward to AVP, Business Development; AVP, Human Resources; and AVP and Controller, respectively.

Jonaitis joined INRD’s sales and marketing staff in 2005, and has played an instrumental role leading the regional’s business development team as well as identifying new business with existing customers and developing new opportunities across the 250-mile network.

LeDune started working for INRD in 2009; she has risen through the ranks, transitioning to the HR team in 2017.

Ward began as an INRD accountant in 2003. He will continue to plan and direct accounting operations and other financial matters. 

“These changes are being made to streamline our management structure and prepare for future growth,” said Dewayne Swindall, who was appointed INRD President and CEO in June.

“These individuals are being recognized for their outstanding contributions and as future leaders of the organization.”

Trevor Hammer returns to Calgary, Alberta-based Caltrax Inc. as Director, Sales and Business Development. A seven-year railroad veteran, he has experience in HR, Accounting and Finance, Marketing, and Business Development.

Caltrax Inc., a division of Cad Railway Industries (CadRI), was was established in 1991. It handles mechanical repair, tank car cleaning and blast/paint work.

The Latino Leadership Conference, an initiative of the National Diversity Council, has presented its national Latino Leadership Award to Alva Carrasco, Transit and Rail West Region Market Lead at WSP USA.

Carrasco is President of Latinos In Transit (LIT), a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and development of Latinos and other minorities in transportation, and has been a LIT Board member since its inception in 2016. She is also a member of the APTA Diversity and Inclusion Counsel, and serves as Vice Chair of the CTA Inclusion Diversity Equity Association Committee.

Carrasco was recently promoted to her Vice President role at WSP USA, leading the Transit and Rail Practice in the Western U.S. She served previously as Assistant Vice President of Transit and Rail, and has been the firm’s Zero-Emissions Bus (ZEB) Lead for the West.

Carrasco has more than 28 years of experience working in the public transit sector, including as Vice President of Maintenance for the Sacramento Regional Transit District, where she was responsible for the daily operation and maintenance of its fleet of bus and light rail vehicles as well as wayside maintenance and materials management.

“Alva’s passion for her work in transportation is matched by her efforts to foster equity and diversity within the Latino community,” said Jannet Walker-Ford, who became National Transit and Rail Leader for WSP in February. “Her leadership inspires our team, and the perspective she brings results in more thoughtful projects that benefit our transportation clients and the communities they serve.”