SVP Rush to retire from R. J. Corman

R. J. Corman Railroad Group LLC today announced Senior Vice President Noel Rush will retire after serving the company for more than 23 years.

Since he joined the company in 1997, Rush has held many integral positions at the company, including president of the derailment services company, VP of risk management and SVP of commercial development before taking on the role of SVP.

The derailment services company experienced "a remarkable amount of growth" under Rush, R. J. Corman officials said in a press release. Between 1997 and 2000, derailment services opened eight new divisions under his leadership.

Additionally, the company performed its first major hurricane response work after Hurricane Floyd occurred in North Carolina. Rush worked with company founder Rick Corman to launch the storm team. Between 2001 and 2006, the team responded to a historic blizzard in New York, hurricanes Charlie and Ivan in Florida, and the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast, rebuilding 43 miles of mainline rail in a few months.

"Noel's visionary foresight and resolute decision-making abilities were essential for the success of these expansions and emergency responses," company officials said.

As VP of finance and administration and then as VP of risk management, Rush positioned the company for growth and expansion by creating goals and strategies for investment, they said. 

As SVP of commercial development, he continued to build the company's capacity for business growth. As he transitioned to SVP, Rush worked closely with the president and chief executive officer to develop and implement long-term strategies and oversee executive relationships and government affairs.

"It has been an honor to work alongside Noel Rush over the past many years, and we would not be where we are today without his leadership," said President and CEO Ed Quinn. "He has been with our company through the highs and lows, and his career has influenced a time of extraordinary growth at R. J. Corman."

Prior to serving R. J. Corman, Rush was VP and director of railroad finance for National City Bank of Kentucky.