Derek Kissick has taken on the newly created role of Chief Commercial Officer at Guardian Rail (formerly Cathcart Rail), a provider of railcar repair, switching, storage, logistics and field services to North American freight railroads.
Kissick has 20 years of industry experience, including senior leadership roles at Caltrax, Cad Railway, Appalachian Railcar Services, and most recently Marmon Rail. He served previously as Chief Operating Officer for Guardian Rail from 2021 to 2024, playing a key role in the diligence and integration efforts for three acquisitions. Kissick will be based at Guardian Rail’s corporate headquarters in Columbus, Ohio.
“We are thrilled to welcome Derek back to Guardian Rail,” said Scott Driggers, who became CEO in October. “His deep understanding of our business and the perspective he brings from diverse leadership assignments in the industry make him the ideal leader to advance our commercial strategy. His return reflects our confidence in his proven leadership and our recognition of the value he brings from two decades of industry experience.”
“I am excited to return to Guardian Rail and join the team with its renewed focus on safety, quality and service,” Kissick said. “I look forward to supporting our commercial efforts and applying innovative ideas and best practices to help Guardian Rail deliver exceptional value for our customers.”
