11/13/2012

Railroading Supplier Spotlight Article
Rail supplier updates from Alstom, Sasser, AllTranstek and HDR (Nov. 13)

Sao Paulo Metro has chosen a consortium including Alstom to supply infrastructure for the second phase of the new Metro Line 4-Yellow. The contract is worth about $50.8 million to Alstom, which will be in charge of about 70 percent of the infrastructure work, including the power supply, telecommunications, a local control system and auxiliary systems, such as fire detection, lighting, ventilation and yard equipment. About eight miles long, Metro Line 4 will include 11 stations and accommodate about 1 million riders daily. The line's second phase is expected to be completed in the first half of 2015.

Sasser Family Holdings Inc. has elected Shad Peterson president. Fred Sasser will continue to serve as chief executive officer and chairman. Peterson, who represents the fourth generation of the Sasser family, has served the organization since 2005, when he became president of the Union Leasing subsidiary. Since then, he "has been a key figure establishing a secure foundation for the future growth and expansion of the business," company officials said in a prepared statement. Peterson also serves as chief operating officer of Sasser Family Holdings, as well as head executive of each of the subsidiaries' business units. He has 20 years of experience in the transportation and strategic consulting services industries. Sasser Family Holdings subsidiaries also include Chicago Freight Car Leasing Co., CF Rail Services L.L.C., NxGen Rail Services and Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia Holdings.

AllTranstek L.L.C. has promoted Jim Dinell to vice president of NDT and special processes. In his new role, he will oversee the company's revamping of service offerings to meet industry changes and demands, AllTranstek officials said in a press release. Dinell has experience in nondestructive testing, quality assurance, rail-car inspection and training. He also serves on various Association of American Railroad task forces, and is a member of the American Society of Nondestructive Testing and the American Welding Society.

HDR has named Patrick Hickox director of bridges and structures. Prior to joining HDR, he was senior vice president/construction engineering director at Figg Engineering. Hickox, who began his career at the Alabama Department of Transportation, has more than 24 years of experience in the design, construction and asset maintenance of complex, long-span bridges, with a specialty in cable stayed bridges. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and American Segmental Bridge Institute.