McCarren, a 1978 graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, enjoyed a long career in the railroad industry. He served as president and CEO of Wisconsin Central and led the railroad when Canadian National acquired it in 2001.
Prior to joining Wisconsin Central in 1996, McCarren was a founder of the Gateway Western Railway, together with New York and Chicago venture capital interests, as a leveraged buyout of the St. Louis to Kansas City route of the Chicago, Missouri & Western Railroad. Gateway Western was sold to Kansas City Southern Industries in 1996.
McCarren’s railroad industry affiliations also included serving as Chairman of the Board for Operation Lifesaver, Inc. and as co-chair of the Railway Industry Working Group. He served on the board of the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad, and has served as a member, Vice Chair and Chair of the Rail Shipper Transportation Advisory Council, and as a board member of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.
Reilly was a class act who combined intellect, integrity and a sense of humor. He will be missed greatly.
Reilly was truly one of the good guys in this industry. This is a tremendous loss to everyone who was privileged to have known or worked with him. My most sincere condolences to his family.
An amazing man who put up the good fight. He was always a gentleman in our conversations and someone I could just sit back and listen to. Reilly, you will be missed.
A&M was a great host for NRHS convention in 2014. We had a great time.
Despite his status as an Industry Leader there are more who identified Reilly in simpler terms: Friend, Colleague.
Reilly’s legacy is assured through the transition in leadership to his wife, Conrail veteran Caren Kraska. Over to you, Caren.
RIP Reilly…