Industry leaders convene to teach the next generation of shippers about rail logistics

Rail transportation experts will convene in San Antonio in May to share their strategic knowledge and practical insights with the next generation of commodity shippers. Sponsored by NCTA and Commtrex, “Rail Shipper 101 - Navigating Rail Logistics: Mastering the Essentials” is a one-day course designed to help young professionals in the commodity shipping industry build their expertise and develop industry connections.

Scheduled for May 19, 2025, at the Plaza San Antonio Hotel and Spa, the event features the following:

Course Overview

Morning Session: Core principles of rail logistics and infrastructure

Afternoon Sessions: Specialized tracks for:

Operational Executives—fleet, infrastructure, and maintenance strategies.

Commercial Executives—freight negotiations, transloading, and procurement.

Featured Speakers

Richard Kloster, President and Founder of Integrity Rail Partners, provides expert analysis and forecasting of the rail equipment supply chain. His insight is used by operating companies and investors for strategic planning, investment decisions, acquisitions, and commercial activities.

David Maggied, President of Transportation at Eco-Energy, has over 20 years of experience developing and managing supply chains for a diverse range of commodities across North America. His data-driven approach emphasizes analytics to assess performance and inform strategic decision-making.

Harry Zander is Chief Commercial Officer of Intramotev, a manufacturer of battery-electric, self-propelled railcars. After two decades as an executive in the rail asset leasing industry, he subsequently served as Senior Vice President of New Product Development at TrinityRail, a major railcar manufacturer, and then as Chief Revenue Officer of Patriot Rail, a leading shortline railroad holding company.

Tomeka Bryant is the General Manager of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad, where she directs daily operations, including railroad strategy, safety strategy, and process improvement initiatives. A second-generation railroader, she brings both operations and commercial experience to lead NOPB, a Class III railroad on the nation’s fourth-largest rail gateway.

Sandra Dearden, President and CEO, of Highroad Consulting, Ltd., heads a firm dedicated to optimizing transportation and logistics across diverse industries. Highroad’s proprietary analytical process VIEWPOINT™ is designed to benchmark rail rates and provide actionable competitive intelligence for shippers aiming to optimize their rail and carrier strategies.

Blake Borgen is Vice President of Business Development at USD Group, one of North America's premier transloading companies. Previously, he served USD in several roles, including Director of Commercial Development, Railcar Fleet Manager, and Terminal Manager of the Bayport Rail Terminal.

Martin Lew is the CEO of Commtrex, the largest tech-enabled platform for rail logistics and transloading across North America. Under Martin’s leadership, Commtrex has become the go-to marketplace for shippers to seamlessly connect with transloaders, warehouses, terminals, ports, storage providers, equipment lessors, and other essential service partners. Trusted by all six Class I Railroads and serving a network of over 4,500 active members, Commtrex helps companies optimize their supply chains with greater visibility, reliability, and efficiency.