PORT CLINTON, Pa. — Matt Johnson has been appointed to Reading & Northern’s new position of vice president-governmental affairs, the railroad has announced.
Also, Christina (Tina) Muller-Levan has been appointed executive vice president-strategic planning.
Johnson has been with the railroad since 2005 in roles ranging from police officer to head of the R&N police force to managing real estate to handling community affairs. In his new role, he will oversee interaction with government at the local, state, and federal level, addressing a need the railroad says has become apparent has it continues to experience growth in both its freight and passenger operations. He will report directly to CEO and owner Andy Muller Jr.
Johnson was a deputy sheriff and police officer prior to joining the railroad. He lives in Kutztown, Pa., where he grew up.
Muller-Levan previously was president of the Muller family’s aviation business, Reading Jet Center, leading the company to profitability and currently working on a plan to rationalize its assets. At the same time, she has also been part of R&N management, overseeing human resources, facilities, and information technology.
In her new position, she will lead development of the railroad’s five-year plan and add its active real-estate program to her portfolio.
“I am honored to be offered this critical position at Reading & Northern at this amazing time of growth and expansion,” Muller-Levan said in a press release. “…Over the months to come I will be reaching out to our customers, our connections, our community leaders and our employees to explore how we can continue to grow our businesses.”
— Updated on March 21 at 8:15 a.m. with Muller-Levan appointment.
Smart move. RN is large enough to need a person to be there on the ground with local and state government. As more things railroad come under scrutiny by more governmental groups because of the manifold failures of the big boys, a local person with local contacts will be a force for managing the message to local communities.