February 27, 2023
Mechanical

For Wabtec, Changes in Senior Leadership

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor

(Photographs Courtesy of Wabtec)

Wabtec Corporation on Feb. 27 reported that Pascal Schweitzer (selected by Railway Age readers as one of 10 Influential Leaders for 2022), Lilian Leroux and Alicia Hammersmith (a 2022 Railway Age Women in Rail honoree) will transition to new senior leadership positions, effective April 3.

Pascal Schweitzer will become President of Wabtec Transit, succeeding Lilian Leroux. He will be responsible for the strategy and execution of Wabtec’s portfolio of transit products and services. Currently, Schweitzer leads the Global Freight Services business. A native of France, he will be relocating to Paris.

Leroux will transition into the role of Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, responsible for leading the company’s strategy, sustainability initiatives and business development efforts. (He recently discussed Wabtec’s role in supporting all forms of passenger rail as a sustainable, safe means of transportation with Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono.)

Alicia Hammersmith will become President of Global Freight Services, succeeding Schweitzer. She will oversee Wabtec’s services, upgrades and modernization programs. Previously, Hammersmith led operations for Wabtec North America and, currently serves as Vice President of Operations, Transit.

“These leadership moves are all part of our growth and ability to sustainably execute,” said Rafael Santana, Wabtec’s President and CEO, to whom each of the three executives will report. “They are evidence of our commitment to resiliency and continuous improvement. But mostly, they are proof that our shared relentless momentum will allow us to work together to change the world for the better.”