Watco promotes four to executive team

[Editor's note: This story was updated at noon CDT.]

Watco Cos. LLC has appointed four new members to its executive team, the company announced yesterday.

Nick Coomes has been appointed chief operating officer; Stefan Loeb, chief commercial officer; Rachael Peterson, chief people officer; and Ed McGuire, chief investment officer.

"This group of leaders has demonstrated an exceptional ability to focus on the core values that have earned Watco the opportunity to grow for 35 years," said Chief Executive Officer Dan Smith in a press release.

Last week, Watco announced Rick Webb would become executive chairman July 31, with Smith succeeding him as CEO, as part of Watco's succession plan.

As COO, Coomes will oversee the day-to-day operations of the transportation, terminal and port, and mechanical divisions. He joined Watco in January 2014 as vice president of operations support for Watco Terminal and Port Services.

As CCO, Loeb will focus on customer relationships and development of new commercial opportunities. Since joining Watco in 2010, he has served as vice president of business development, senior VP of marketing and strategic development, executive VP and chief marketing officer, and executive VP-network strategies.

As CPO, Peterson will lead the programs and functions that support team member engagement, development, safe-performance, health and wellness and communications. She joined Watco in 2006, and has held several roles on the People Services Team, most recently serving as senior VP of people services.

As CIO, McGuire will manage capital-raising activities and oversee the deployment of capital in customer growth projects, as well as mergers and acquisitions. He joined the company in July 2015 as executive VP-strategic planning.

Progressive Railroading identified two of the Watco executives as rail industry Rising Stars: Peterson in 2014 and Loeb in 2015. Loeb will be a featured speaker at the RailTrends 2018 conference, which will be held Nov. 29-30 in New York City.