COLUMBIA RAIL - Key Persons
Chuck brings 31 years of locomotive mechanical experience to Columbia Rail / Rainier Rail. Starting as a laborer, Chuck completed a 3 year machinist apprenticeship, eventually working his way up into senior management roles at Union Pacific and CIT's locomotive leasing division. In addition to directing maintenance and development of Columbia Rail / Rainier Rail's fleet of 30 locomotives, Chuck is also building a locomotive services division offering loco repair and leasing to other railroads and industry (launching later in 2019).
Graduated from Western Washington University in 2013 with a degree in Political Science / Economics. Spent 5 years in Colorado working in logistics / supply chain before moving back to Washington and joining Columbia Rail in 2019. Derek is based out of the Walla Walla, WA office.
Job Titles:
- Executive Management Team
After finishing a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH, Paul worked in management for Union Pacific in Chicago, IL. In 2006, Paul founded his first railroad business called Frontier Rail with a leased SD9 locomotive and a single rail switching contract in Wallula, WA. Eighteen years later, Paul owns Rainier Rail and the Columbia Rail group of short line railroads in Eastern Washington State - just the beginning.
Job Titles:
- CFO
- Rail Co - Owner and General Manager
CFO of Columbia Rail, Rainier Rail co-owner and General Manager, railroading with Paul Didelius since 2012
Started railroading in 1994 on the DRGW in Salt Lake City, which merged with the Union Pacific in 1997. Stuart left the Union Pacific and joined Columbia Rail in 2020. Stuart has 25 years of railroad operating management experience in flat switching yards and intermodal facilities, along with service design experience.