Rob Russell, Managing Partner, Russell-Kroese Partners, joins Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono for a wide-ranging discussion on the railroad industry and its future, with particular emphasis on the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. Among the topics are the health of the rail industry from 2002 to present; the service and rate environment, the outlook for intermodal business; challenges with connecting to a railroad for carload customers; when railroads say “we’re looking to grow,” what does “growth” really mean?; challenges for commercial professionals in the rail space; rail in the West vs. rail in the East; and “benefits” and “lookouts” for UP’s acquisition of NS.

Rob Russell is a seasoned transportation executive who operates fluidly from the boardroom to the shop floor. A certified six sigma black belt and a LEAN champion, Rob is a proven business leader who has a track record of strategy development, financial planning, business develop-ment, operations, and performance management to accomplish an organization's desired goals. Pulling from more than 23 years of executive logistics experience across CWR Solutions, OmniTRAX, Progressive Rail and Union Pacific, he brings passion, expertise and dedication to his clients. In addition to being a successful entrepreneur, Rob is recognized to excel within complex, high pressure organizations to achieve measurable and timely results by cultivating relationships, developing high performing teams, and delivering on time.