People News: Keolis, MRC, TRAC
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Pictured, left to right: Alex Wu, Keolis North America; Ashley Dietiker, Mitsui Rail Capital; Jake Gilene, TRAC Intermodal.
Alex Wu is joining Keolis North America as Vice President of Digital Transformation and Chief Information Officer. Also, at Mitsui Rail Capital (MRC), Ashley Dietiker is taking on the role of Commercial Operations and Customer Service Manager; and at TRAC Intermodal, Jake Gilene is succeeding Jim Bowe, who retired as Chief Commercial Officer on March 28.
Alex Wu brings to Keolis North America more than 30 years of information technology experience. In the newly created role of Vice President of Digital Transformation and CIO, he will be responsible for “further digitizing business processes, developing new tools, implementing innovative technologies, and creating even greater value for clients,” said the company, which operates local, commuter, paratransit and commuter rail services.
Wu served most recently as Deputy CIO of the National Gallery of Art. He has also worked in the medical, semi-conductor, computer manufacturing, telecom and construction material industries.
“I’m thrilled to welcome someone with Alex’s breadth of experience in both information technology and organizational transformation,” said Keolis North America President and CEO David Scorey. “We created this executive-level role given the importance of digitalization in the transit industry and to better meet the needs of our passengers. Alex will help us to both apply innovative strategies to our technology stack as we and deliver strategic insight to be an even better partner with public transit agencies.”
With more than eight years of railroad industry experience, Ashley Dietiker joins MRC as Commercial Operations and Customer Service Manager. She has held the positions of Operations Manager for Infinity Transportation, as well as Rail Fleet Administrator and Fleet Maintenance Coordinator for VTG Rail, where she managed the maintenance of more than 6,300 railcars.
“I can’t say enough good things about Ashley and the job she’ll do for us,” said Bryan F. Vaughan, who became MRC’s Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Business Development last month, following work with Dietiker at VTG Rail. “She knows a lot about the industry, and she’s enthusiastic, responsive, works well with teams and is an experienced fleet administrator. She’ll be a great asset to the MRC team.”
On March 28, Jake Gilene succeeded Jim Bowe as TRAC Intermodal’s Chief Commercial Officer. While Bowe has retired after more than 40 years at the marine chassis pool management and equipment firm, he will remain in an advisory role through the end of 2022.
Gilene served previously as Senior Vice President of Sales and Customer Service for CHEP, an operating division of supply chain and logistics firm Brambles Ltd. In this role, he led all commercial and customer-related activity in the U.S.
“To our customers, Jim has been the face of TRAC in North America and around the world for many years, and our organization has greatly benefitted from his leadership and the lasting customer relationships he has built during his tenure,” TRAC President and CEO Daniel Walsh said. “Jake’s well-rounded background in logistics, sales and customer service makes him an ideal choice as our next Chief Commercial Officer. TRAC has a proud history of best-in-class customer relationships, and we are excited to have Jake leading those efforts.”
