High Profile: TTCI, Reading & Northern

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Karen Carriere as Executive Director of Technical Services, TTCI; Jim Raffa, head of market development, RBMN

Karen Carriere as Executive Director of Technical Services, TTCI; Jim Raffa, head of market development, RBMN

The Transportation Technology Center, Inc., (TTCI) has appointed Karen Carriere as Executive Director of Technical Services; Reading & Northern (RBMN) welcomes back Jim Raffa, who will be charged with market development.

At TTCI, Carriere will be overseeing the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) technical committees that develop, maintain and enforce North American railroad interchange rules, mechanical standards and component specifications.

With more than 25 years of experience, Carriere served most recently as Vice President Technical Services for Wabtec Corp. She has also participated on multiple AAR technical task force and waiver committees, and held the position of President for both the Air Brake Association and the Canadian Air Brake Association. Carriere is based in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

“The industry depends upon TTCI to provide technical services that support the rule-making process,” TTCI President Lisa Stabler said. “I know that Karen’s long experience as a member of the AAR technical committees will allow her to be very successful in this new role.”

At RBMN, Raffa will focus on Marcellus Shale-related opportunities and the energy sector, as well as propane opportunities and the potential movement of LNG. The railroad—Railway Age’s 2002, 2011, 2015 and 2020 Regional of the Year—reported that it is “poised to re-enter the frac sand market with a new facility close to the shale drilling area.”

Raffa has more than 30 years of railroad experience, specializing in business development, project management, marketing and operations. He served most recently as VP Sales and Marketing at RJ Corman/Owego & Harford Railway (OHRY)/Lehigh Railway (LRWY)/Luzerne & Susquehanna Railway (LS), a position he held for nearly 14 years.

Raffa began his career in 1989 as a trackman with RBMN predecessor Blue Mountain & Reading Railroad. When RBMN was formed in 1990, he transitioned to Coal Traffic Manager and Real Estate Manager.

“We are delighted that Jim has chosen to return to Reading & Northern,” President Wayne Michel said. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his time serving at the Lehigh Railway and Luzerne & Susquehanna. His knowledge of the region and his experience handling frac sand opportunities will be critical to us as we continue to grow our business.”

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