AITX Expands Railcar Repair Management to Broaden Customer Capabilities

John Ward Promoted to SVP Repair Services with New Additions of Greg Gibson, VP Repair Services and Charles Crow, Plant Manager Northeast Region

In an effort to continue to add customer value to its Railcar Repair Services business, American Industrial Transport, Inc. (“AITX”) has strengthened the leadership of its repair executive team through internal promotion, new hires, and dedicated expansion of AITX’s regional repair footprint.

After nearly 45 years of service to the company, John Ward has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Repair Services overseeing all seventeen facilities across AITX’s North American repair network. This will also include the expansion project to the Brookhaven, MS facility which plans to break ground in April of this year. John joined AITX in 1978 and is a demonstration of the company’s commitment to fostering leadership from within, as John has assumed roles from Shop Supervisor, QA Supervisor, Fleet Service Manager, Plant Manager, Director New Business Development, and Repair Service, before most recently serving in the position of Vice President, Repair Services. This promotion recognizes the contributions John has made as an integral part of the repair services growth.

Greg Gibson joined AITX in February as the new Vice President of Repair Services. Greg is a proven operations and managerial leader with over 25 years’ experience across multiple industries with the last eight years in railcar repair services. Most recently, Greg led Cathcart Rail as Senior Vice President of Operations driving railcar repairs, train operations, railcar storage, and field services covering over sixty sites and twenty-three states. Starting his career on the frontlines as a certified pipe welder and later as a member of the Boilermakers Union, Greg’s managerial style is rooted in his hands-on work experiences.

Charles Crow also joined AITX this year as plant manager for the new Milton, PA facility. AITX has invested in this Milton location as an entry-point to expand repair capabilities across the northeast of the United States. Charles also has ample industry experience and expertise with over 28 years in the railcar business with a focus on repair and maintenance. He’s worked previously at both Appalachian Railcar Services and Cathcart Rail with his most recent role as Cathcart’s VP of Field Services, leading twenty sites across fifteen states with oversight for a team of over 100. Charles served in the Marine Corps from 1989-1991 and then went to work as a car knocker.

“AITX’s continued expansion in customer capabilities and resources starts with focusing on world-class people,” said Kurt Higginbotham, President at American Industrial Transport. “With the collection of John, Greg, and Charles, we have unmatched industry experience and expertise. AITX will benefit from how they lead through a strong sense of integrity and performance metrics. We are excited for this team to partner across our repair network, empower our teams, and unlock innovative customer solutions.”