Zander Joins Patriot Rail

Jacksonville, Fla.-based Patriot Rail Co. LLC has appointed Harry Zander as Chief Revenue Officer.

Zander is responsible for managing and coordinating revenue-generating activities, identifying the most suitable markets and market segments, leading and guiding commercial efforts, and steering mergers and acquisitions for Patriot Rail. The company operates 13 short line and regional railroads, a scenic rail excursion train and rail-related services companies across the United States; it finalized its most recent acquisition, the 26-mile Salt Lake Garfield & Western Railway (SLGW), in January.

A 30-plus rail industry veteran, Zander was previously Executive Director-Strategic Market Development for Birmingham, Ala.-based VeriPhase. He has also served as Senior Vice President of New Product Development at TrinityRail, and held senior positions at ECN Capital Corp. (prior to its acquisition by TrinityRail), Macquiarie Rail and Mitsui Rail. Additionally, he is active in the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers.

“Patriot Rail is in growth mode, and the addition of Harry Zander to our leadership team further cements Patriot as a short line rail leader,” Patriot Rail CEO John E. Fenton said. “Harry’s track record in identifying markets where short line rail can be beneficial is essential to growing Patriot’s footprint.”

In June, terminal and logistics firm Enstructure entered a definitive agreement to acquire Patriot’s ports division, a deal that would allow Patriot to focus on growing its core rail business.