JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Shortline holding company Patriot Rail has named Jerry Hall as its chief operating officer, the company announced Monday.
Hall brings over three decades of rail industry experience to the Patriot team, most recently as vice president of transportation at Norfolk Southern. Hall now leads Patriot Rail’s operations nationwide, with responsibility for safety, operational performance, and service execution at the company’s 31 railroads.
“Jerry’s talent and deep rail industry background will drive Patriot Rail to the next level of operational excellence,” said Patriot CEO John E. Fenton. “The company just closed a transformational acquisition doubling Patriot’s U.S. footprint from 16 short line railroads to 31”— [see “Patriot Rail completes acquisition of Pioneer Lines,” Trains News Wire, Sept. 15, 2022] — “and we are excited to have Jerry join us. His outstanding on-the-ground and strategic rail expertise will guide our continued growth and performance for customers.”
Hall served in a variety of operating roles at Norfolk Southern for more than 33 years, including vice president mechanical, vice president network and service management, and vice president intermodal operations.
“I am thrilled to be part of the team fundamentally transforming Patriot Rail,” Hall said. “It’s an incredible opportunity to help elevate Patriot’s performance, with safety as our core value, as we grow and serve our valued customers and stakeholders.”
