Watco adjusts management at Wisconsin and Southern, Grand Elk railroads

Watco Transportation Services L.L.C. has named Joe Via director of operations and Larry McCloud, general manager for the Wisconsin and Southern Railroad (WSOR). The short-line holding company also appointed Chris Norman GM of the Grand Elk Railroad to succeed McCloud.

Most recently director of switching for the West Region, Via will be responsible for WSOR's operations, as well as safety, finances, customer relations and team development. Prior to joining Watco in 2012, he served Union Pacific Railroad for one year. Via previously spent 13 years at the Utah Railway in a number of positions, including director of safety, trainmaster, assistant trainmaster and conductor.

McCloud has 39 years of rail industry experience. He previously was vice president of operations for Industrial Railway, president of the Tuscola Saginaw Bay Railroad and VP at RailAmerica Inc. McCloud also held various positions at the C&O Railway, including yardmaster and trainmaster.

Norman joined the Grand Elk Railroad in February as senior trainmaster. He previously was an assistant superintendent, division trainmaster and trainmaster for CN, and a yardmaster, trainmaster, engineer and conductor for CSX Transportation.