R&N Expands Coal Marketing Dept.
Written by Andrew Corselli
Karl Laubenstine, R&N's new VP - Coal Marketing & Sales.
Reading and Northern Railroad (R&N) recently added to its Coal Marketing department as Karl Laubenstine has joined the team as VP - Coal Marketing and Sales, effective July 20, 2020. In his new position, Laubenstine reports to Bill Clark, Senior VP Coal Marketing.
Laubenstine joins R&N—Railway Age’s 2020 Regional Railroad of the Year—from Atlantic Carbon Group Inc., an Anthracite mining and processing company in Hazleton, Penn., where he was responsible for marketing, sales and logistics. He joined Atlantic in 2016 and was quickly promoted to Sales Manager. Since he joined Atlantic, it saw a 39% increase in tons sold to the domestic steel industry and export markets. He also helped in developing and branding Atlantic’s heat-sealed bag for residential heating across North America. Prior to Atlantic he worked in sales and logistics for Reading Anthracite.
Prior to the coal industry, Laubenstine was a Computer Aided Drafting & Design high school Vocational teacher. He attained his teaching certificate from Temple University. He resides near Pottsville, Penn., with his wife Danielle and their daughters, Olivia and Emily.
“With the addition of Laubenstine as VP – Coal Marketing and Sales, we have added more responsibilities and a new title for Jim Cerulli,” R&N said. “Jim is now our Vice President Business Development. While Jim will continue to be responsible for the coal equipment fleet as well as on-line coal industrial development projects, he will also support Wayne Michel on strategic efforts and significant long-term business development projects. In his new position, Jim will continue to report to Michel.”
Cerulli joined R&N in 2015 in the Transportation Department as Operations Administrator. He was promoted to Director of Operations and then AVP Operations Planning. He officially moved over to the commercial side at the beginning of 2020 to become VP Coal Marketing. Prior to joining R&N, Cerulli was a high school history teacher. He graduated from Misericordia University. He resides in the Northern Coal Region near Wilkes-Barre, Penn., with his wife, Shannon, and daughter, Ella.
“As we continue to enjoy growth in our anthracite coal business we continue to add resources to manage that business,” said Michel, R&N President. “We have been buying coal cars and locomotives and working on infrastructure projects to better serve our coal shippers. With our hiring of Karl we have again expanded the number of people assisting us in the development and management of the coal business, which is so critical to our success.”
“We feel Karl has unique perspectives and insights into the Anthracite Coal business, and will help Reading & Northern grow in the coming years, as new and expanded mini-mills come online,” said Clark. “We are excited that Karl is joining our team as we continue to grow ‘The Road of Anthracite.’”
“Jim brings his tremendous knowledge of our railroad and operations as well as a wealth of historical knowledge about the railroad industry to his new job,” said Michel. “Over the last 18 months Jim has learned a lot about the business side of the railroad from Bill Clark. I look forward to Jim partnering with me to deal with the many fantastic opportunities facing R&N in the years to come.”
