GPA
Gateway Terminals Savannah has announced the appointment of Bryan Blalock as President, effective April 13, 2026. He will succeed Kevin Price, who will transition to the GPA leadership team as the newly announced President on July 1, 2026.
“We would like to welcome Bryan Blalock to Savannah and the important role he will play supporting the ocean carriers who call Savannah. Collectively between the Georgia Ports and Gateway, our aim is to provide our mutual customers, both the Ocean Carriers and Truckers, a best-in-class experience,” said GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch.
Blalock joins from CMC where he was the COO, covering 60+ operations with 1900 employees. He brings a distinguished 35+ year career of optimizing business processes, strategic planning and innovative solutions in the port terminal industry.
“Bryan’s leadership, credentials, safety mindset and way of working with people will enable Gateway Terminals Savannah to continue on a high-performance trajectory and get closer to our customers,” said Price. “We are excited to have him join our team. He has worked in all facets of our industry, brings excellent working relationships in our region and will be immediately effective in his new role, allowing a seamless management transition.”
“I’m honored to join Gateway Terminals Savannah—a leader in the stevedore industry with its best practices and high growth. The Port of Savannah is one of the fastest growing ports in the country and I’m looking forward to helping our customers win more business by delivering best-in-class operations,” said Blalock.
CSX
Judy Covington‑Poole, CSX Technical Director, was named Woman of the Year by the National Association of Railway Business Women Jacksonville Chapter, the Class I recently announced in an X post.
“Covington-Poole leads teams that help keep technology reliable so railroaders across our network stay connected and supported, Congrats, Judy—thank you for leading with service and collaboration,” CSX wrote.
CPKC
CPKC recently congratulated via LinkedIn John Furlong, Terry Savage, and Mohamed El Bitar for winning a 2026 CEO Award for Excellence for their “transformative track technology.”
“Setting a new standard for how we monitor and manage track infrastructure, their work resulted in fewer slow orders, improved asset life and more reliable service for our customers.
“With safety as our top priority, their shift from reactive fixes to predictive maintenance plays a key role in making our railroad safer, more efficient and better positioned for long-term performance,” CPKC wrote.
Northern Plains Railroad
Jesse Chalich, President of Northern Plains Railroad, passed away suddenly on March 11, 2026, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) recently announces.
“Noted in the obituary, Chalich started his career as a conductor/engineer in 1997 on the Northern Plains Railroad in central North Dakota. As a 4th generation railroader, the love for the industry and its culture ran deep in him.
“Chalich quickly moved into customer service, where his natural ability to connect with people quickly stood out. Known for his genuine care for others and the trust he built with those around him, Chalich later transitioned into marketing and executive leadership roles, helping guide the company as it expanded from 40 to more than 200 employees. Over time, he rose through the organization, ultimately serving as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Northern Plains Rail companies—a role he led humbly with pride, integrity, and dedication until his final day. Under Chalich’s leadership, the company maintained exceptional employee morale and a culture that truly supported employees in putting safety and family first.”
