In a significant leadership change, Patriot Rail Co. has appointed Brandy D. Christian, the former CEO of the Port of New Orleans, as its next Chief Executive Officer. Christian will take over the reins from John Fenton, who is set to retire after an impressive 12-year tenure. The transition will occur on June 17, as announced by Patriot Rail.
Brandy Christian’s selection marks a strategic move for Patriot Rail, emphasizing their focus on growth and development in the freight logistics sector. Christian brings a wealth of experience to the role, with over 25 years in freight transport, infrastructure development, and the rail sector. Her background and proven leadership make her an ideal choice to lead the company forward.
Deb Butler, the chair of the Patriot Rail board, expressed confidence in Christian’s capabilities, stating, “Brandy is an exceptional global supply chain and freight rail executive with the vision, perspective, and expertise to lead Patriot Rail in its accelerating growth and development. We are grateful to John for his exemplary contributions in guiding the company through significant expansion for more than a decade, establishing an unparalleled culture of safety and employees first while delivering top customer service and value.”
Christian’s tenure at the Port of New Orleans was marked by significant achievements, including her role in overseeing the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad. Her leadership in these positions underscores her deep understanding of the freight and rail industries, and she is poised to bring this expertise to Patriot Rail. “I’m thrilled to join Patriot Rail, a stellar industry pacesetter committed to safety excellence, teamwork, and delivering value for customers,” Christian said. “Patriot Rail has an admirable culture of employee-first collaboration. I look forward to working with the team to build on their achievements and guide Patriot’s continued growth as a freight logistics and supply chain leader and the partner of choice for rail-focused strategic infrastructure investment.”
Patriot Rail’s trajectory over the past few years has been marked by significant expansion, particularly since being acquired by Igneo Infrastructure Partners in 2019. Under Fenton’s leadership, the company expanded its network from 13 to 31 railroads. Key acquisitions included the Salt Lake Garfield & Western Railway in 2021, Pioneer Lines, Inc. in 2022, and more recently, Delta Southern Railroad, Hydra Distribution & Rail Services, Hydra Transport, and Granite State Scenic Railway in New Hampshire in 2023.
John Fenton’s retirement marks the end of an era for Patriot Rail. Reflecting on his time with the company, Fenton said, “It has been a privilege heading up Patriot Rail over the past 12 years. During that period, we expanded to more than 30 railroads in 24 states and built an industry-leading reputation for safety, value, and partnership with our customers. I am thankful to the team and confident that the company will shine under Brandy’s management.”
The transition is set against a backdrop of continued growth and strategic development for Patriot Rail, reinforcing its position as a leader in the freight logistics and rail industry. With Brandy Christian at the helm, the company is well-positioned to build on its solid foundation and embark on the next phase of its journey.
