Patriot Rail Corp. Announces Management Restructuring

BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Patriot Rail Corp. ("Patriot" or the "Company"), a privately-held short line and regional freight railroad holding company, today announced the strengthening of its corporate organization through a restructuring of its operations management team.  The changes, effective January 1, 2012, were implemented to better focus our management efforts among rail operations and marketing to customers.

J.D. Ventrcek has been promoted to Senior Vice President – Operations and will oversee the Company's 12 railroads.  Mr. Ventrcek joined Patriot in 2008 with over 30 years of railroad operations management experience, including 24 years with Union Pacific Railroad  and its predecessors.  Prior to joining Patriot, he was President & Chief Operating Officer of Weyerhaeuser Company's six freight railroads.  A decorated Vietnam veteran, Mr. Ventrcek was awarded two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star with "V" device, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Vietnamese Service and Campaign Medals.

Stan Wlotko will lead the Company's sales and marketing efforts as Senior Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer.  Mr. Wlotko joined Patriot in 2006 shortly after its formation and has over 38 years of railroad industry experience.  He has held senior management positions in purchasing, rail operations, marketing, project management and outsourced services.  Mr. Wlotko has worked for several railroads during his career, including Penn Central, Conrail, Denver & Rio Grande, Southern Pacific, Union Pacific and RailAmerica.

"These initiatives were designed to fortify the company's management team and position Patriot for long-term growth and success," said Gary O. Marino, Chairman, President & CEO of Patriot Rail.  "Our operations management team is extremely talented and has many years of railroad operations and marketing experience.  I want to congratulate J.D. on his promotion and we are fortunate to have someone of Stan's caliber to lead our marketing group."

Under Mr. Ventrcek, the Company has reorganized its railroads into two regions, East and West, with each region led by a Regional Vice President.

The West region will be led by Dave Eyermann, Regional Vice President.  Mr. Eyermann joined Patriot in 2009 and has over 20 years of short line railroad experience.  He was previously a member of senior management with Watco Companies, RailAmerica, Inc. and RailTex, Inc.  Prior to joining Patriot, he was Senior Vice President/Assistant Chief Operating Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Central Region at Watco Companies, where he was responsible for over 1,600 miles of territory.  Prior to that, Mr. Eyermann was Regional Vice President for RailAmerica's Lone Star Region.

The West region consists of the following railroads: Butte, Anaconda & Pacific Railway; DeQueen & Eastern / Texas, Oklahoma & Eastern Railroads; Columbia & Cowlitz Railway / Patriot Woods Railroad; Sacramento Valley Railroad; and Utah Central Railway.

David Rohal, Regional Vice President, will lead the East region.  Mr. Rohal joined Patriot in December 2011 and has over 27 years of rail industry experience.  Previously, he held management positions with short line railroad holding companies RailAmerica, Florida East Coast and Genesee & Wyoming, and Class I operator CSX.  During his career, Mr. Rohal has led various operations, finance and marketing functions within Class I, regional and short line railroad companies.

The East region consists of the following railroads: Tennessee Southern Railroad; Golden Triangle Railroad; Louisiana & North West Railroad; Piedmont & Northern Railway; and Temple & Central Texas Railway.

Added Marino, "We have tapped two vice presidents with vast railroad operating experience to head up our newly-created regions.  Both David Eyermann and Dave Rohal know the industry very well and have successfully managed significant railroad operations previously."

Patriot Rail Corp. is a short line and regional freight railroad holding company based in Boca Raton, Florida.  The Company owns and operates 12 short line freight railroads comprising approximately 500 total rail miles in 12 states.  For more information on Patriot Rail Corp. visit us at www.patriotrail.com. 

Contact: Wayne August 561-443-5300

SOURCE Patriot Rail Corp.