Cando
Paul Duncan has taken on the role of Chief Operating Officer at Canada-based Cando, which provides short line operation, industrial switching, material handling, terminal and transload, railcar staging, train assembly, and related services. With more than 22 years of Class I industry experience, he served most recently as Norfolk Southern’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, with leadership responsibilities for Transportation, Network Planning, Network Operations, Engineering, Mechanical, Safety, and NS Police. Duncan also spent more than 19 years at BNSF Railway in roles of increasing responsibility within Intermodal, Transportation, Network Operations, Capacity Planning, and Service Design.
Duncan, a Texas resident, will lead Cando’s Service Delivery and Infrastructure divisions. He is a graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Transportation Logistics.
Before Cando hired Duncan, Steve Bromley announced his intention to retire by the end of 2025 as the company’s Chief Commercial Officer. Cando then decided to expand Bromley’s role leading commercial growth initiatives and operations teams into two positions: Chief Operating Officer and Chief Commercial Officer. For the remainder of 2025, Bromley will work alongside Duncan to ensure a seamless transition and provide support as Cando continues its search to fill the new Chief Commercial Officer position.
“Paul [Duncan] is extremely well positioned to lead our Service Delivery and Infrastructure teams across North America,” Cando President and CEO Brian Cornick said. “His extensive service expertise, focus on safety culture, and proven Class I rail record provide tremendous resources to improve Cando’s operating capabilities as we continue to grow with our customers.”
“With a passion for continuous improvement, unparalleled insight into the rail industry, and an aptitude for forging strong customer partnerships, Steve [Bromley] has been instrumental in the success and growth of Cando since joining the company in 2013,” Cornick continued. “On behalf of everyone at Cando and the Board, I would like to thank Steve for his dedicated service to Cando over the past 12 years. With Steve’s departure, we are expanding our executive team, which highlights Cando’s dedication to provide exemplary service delivery and continuous growth.”
“Cando’s unique first and last mile model has enhanced service, capacity, and growth for customers in the rail supply chain,” Paul Duncan commented. “With an award-winning safety culture and extensive growth plans, Cando is well positioned to further leverage its first and last mile rail operating experience with its strategically located terminals and investments to enhance customers’ rail service to drive further growth. I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunities ahead. I look forward to working closely with Cando’s talented railroaders and leadership team as we take Cando to the next level of safety, service, and growth with our partners in the supply chain.”
Separately, Cando on Feb. 13 reported opening the Cando Southlands Rail Yard in Strathcona County, Alberta, Canada.
NYA
K.E. “Kirk” Bedford is joining 270 route-mile NYA as Vice President. With more than 26 years of railroad experience, he began his career at Union Pacific, and later spent 18 years as General Manager for Genesee & Wyoming, Inc. railroads. Most recently, he was Assistant General Manager for Gary Railway, Inc. A military veteran, Bedford served in the U.S. Army with the 1st Armored Division as a Combat Engineer in the first Gulf War.
According to NYA parent company ARH, Bedford supports independent thinking while emphasizing teamwork and continuous improvement to accomplish the goals and objectives of the organization. He has led railroads in the achievement of multi-faceted safety, commercial, logistics, and financial goals, and his skills include building staff capabilities by encouraging a culture of safety, inclusion, and professional development for managers, ARH added.
Bedford completed a Bachelor of Science degree in network and communications management from DeVry University and holds Six Sigma Yellow and Green Belt certifications.
“Kirk brings to NYA tremendous railroad management and operating experience,” said Marlon Taylor, who was elevated to NYA President in 2024. “His deep commitment to safety, team building, and customer delight is a strong match with our culture.”
“I’ve been familiar with NYA and Anacostia’s great reputation for many years, and I’m excited to be part of this strong organization,” Bedford said. “NYA streamlines the critical first and last miles of rail movements, making the process seamless. As I get to know our customers and our team, I look forward to building on the railroad’s strong safety performance, and to helping our customers thrive and grow.”
In related news, ARH on March 5 announced the appointment of Michael Naatz as its Chief Operating Officer.
STV
STV has promoted Vice President Jason Mumford to Director of its National Planning Practice, and hired Michael Curto Jr. as Vice President of National Development, Alexa Heidrich as Deputy Director of the National Planning Practice, and Boris Lipkin as Vice President of Program Development.
“These leaders will help our clients find the expertise they need across every decision moment during a project’s lifecycle,” said Garo Hovnanian, Executive Vice President of Advisory Services at STV. “Their relationships across state and federal government, public transit, and rail, as well as with project owners and other stakeholders, will allow projects and programs to move faster through complex processes while having a greater impact on the communities we serve.”
In his new role, Mumford, who is based in Washington, D.C., will oversee the firm’s data-driven, multidisciplinary planning practice, which includes 20-plus planning leaders and 130-plus transportation planners, and encompasses multimodal planning, economic analysis, and regional and community planning. Since joining STV in 2020, Mumford has led several major transportation planning projects, including on-call planning and program management for bus rapid transit (BRT) in Montgomery County, Md.; and general engineering consultant services for the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) in Texas. He has also helped lead planning programs for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Arlington County and Fairfax County Department of Transportation’s The One BRT system in Virginia. Mumford is an Executive Committee Member of Mpact and a member of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Transportation Research Board, and American Planning Association. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Utah and a master’s degree in city planning from the University of Pennsylvania.
Prior to joining STV, Michael Curto Jr. spent nearly a decade as a transportation policy expert in the federal government, most recently as Legislative Director in the U.S. House of Representatives. In that role, he led Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Troy E. Nehls’ legislative team, which oversaw work related to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He also staffed Chairman Nehls on three key subcommittees: Aviation; Highways and Transit; and Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. From 2018 to 2021, Curto held several positions at the U.S. Department of Transportation, beginning as Special Assistant to Secretary Elaine Chao and later serving as an advisor to the Secretary for Regulatory Reform. Curto holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and government from the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State and a J.D. from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. He is based in Washington, D.C. At STV, Curto will work closely with the team to better partner with state and federal leaders, lawmakers and other stakeholders to develop strategies focused on improving transportation infrastructure.
Alexa Heidrich, based in Baltimore, Md., comes to STV following service as Deputy Director of the Purple Line Light Rail project for the Maryland Transit Administration. STV reported that she specializes in “delivering innovative, data-driven and sustainable solutions that enhance economic vitality and social outcomes for the communities she serves.” Heidrich earned her master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Sydney, Australia.
Boris Lipkin, based in Oakland, Calif., joins STV from the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA), where he helped navigate multi-agency partnerships and relationships with transit agencies, cities, counties, and advocacy organizations to advance portions of the high-speed rail system through all stages of program development, from early planning through construction closeout. He also served on the Transbay Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors and the Portal (formerly known as the Downtown Extension Project) Executive Steering Committee. Lipkin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business economics and geography from UCLA and a Master of City Planning degree from the University of Pennsylvania. In his new role, he will lead program development for STV infrastructure initiatives with transit and rail clients around the country with a particular focus on the West Coast, including California, Washington, Oregon, and Arizona.
STV has provided planning services for major transportation programs including MTA Long Island Rail Road Grand Central Madison/East Side Access in New York, California High-Speed Rail, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s Cross Harbor Freight Program Tier II EIS, and the Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority Streetcar Expansion in Phoenix, Ariz.
In related news, STV recently elevated Paul Bobby to Illinois Area Manager.
