People news from Genesee & Wyoming, Patriot Rail and Railroad Construction Co.

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W) has hired Derek Taylor as chief operating officer. He has more than 25 years of railroad leadership experience at CN. Taylor most recently served the Class I as executive vice president and chief field operating officer. He previously served CN as senior VP of transportation, VP of operational excellence, VP of the eastern region and VP of the southern region. In his new role, Taylor will be responsible for G&W operations spanning 40 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces, G&W officials said in a press release. He will be based in Jacksonville, Florida, and report directly to G&W CEO Michael Miller.

Patriot Rail has added Katie Roller to the company's executive team as chief external affairs officer. Roller spent 15 years at CSX prior to joining Patriot Rail in 2023. Since then, she has progressed through senior communications and public affairs positions, Patriot Rail officials said in a press release. In her new position, Roller will lead the company's external affairs strategy. Concurrently, Patriot Rail named Laura Mellem vice president of marketing, communications and stakeholder engagement. Mellem has 15 years of public-sector communications and marketing experience, including executive leadership roles with the city of Minneapolis, Port of New Orleans, New Orleans Public Belt Railroad and city of New Orleans. At Patriot Rail, Mellem will oversee marketing, communications and the company's four excursion railways.

Railroad Construction Co. Inc.'s (RCC) Al Daloisio, Jr. has assumed the role of CEO emeritus after spending more than four decades as CEO. He will continue to serve as the company's chairman. In addition, Jack Tobin has been named CEO, effective immediately. His appointment marks a milestone as the first non-family member to lead RCC, company officials said in a press release. Since joining RCC, Tobin has played an integral role in the company's growth and operations, they added.