Rail supplier news from Brown Industries, HNTB, Strato, Transit Wireless and Alliance Shippers (Oct. 11)

Brown Industries LLC has introduced a patent-pending grapple truck designed to pull multiple loaded trains. The hybrid car mover can generate more than 20,000 pounds of tractive effort, Brown Industries officials said in a press release. The truck allows railroads to move rail cars in one day and conduct track maintenance the next day, they said.

HNTB Corp. hired Pamela McCombe as a senior project manager for transit and rail. She has nearly 35 years of industry experience. Prior to joining HNTB, McCombe served as a technical manager for another consulting firm and directed safety departments at several transit agencies, including the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, St. Louis Transit Authority and Toronto Transit Commission. She is a senior instructor for the U.S. Department of Transportation Safety Institute, a member of the American Public Transportation Association’s Peer Review Teams and Operations Committee, and a member of the Transit Cooperative Research Program Committee.

Strato Inc. named Brian Cunkelman vice president of engineering to succeed Larry Hixon, who retired earlier this year after 15 years with the company. In his role, Cunkelman will be responsible for leading the research, development and engineering teams through all stages of product design and development. He will also oversee product launches and lean manufacturing process development. Prior to joining Strato, Cunkelman spent more than 25 years in various leadership and executive roles in the rail industry, Strato officials said in a press release.

Transit Wireless hired Eli Kay as chief financial officer and Michael Hoyt as senior vice president of product development, engineering and operations. Kay has more than 20 years of corporate finance, risk management, audit and tax experience. Most recently, he served as CFO for JFK International Air Terminal LLC’s Terminal 4, where he led the multibillion-dollar expansion and business negotiation with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Delta Airlines. Previously, Kay was CFO of Chicago Skyway and the San Mateo County Transit District. Hoyt has over 20 years of telecommunications and engineering experience. He previously served as an infrastructure consultant to several service providers across the United States and Europe.

Alliance Shippers Inc. received the SmartWay Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for top environmental performance and energy efficiency in the freight supply chain. Alliance Shippers was one of 17 shippers and logistics firms to receive the distinction, Alliance Shippers officials said in a press release.