Jacque Bendon
Union Pacific
Bio
Jacque Bendon, Sr. Vice President - Industrial
Jacque Bendon was appointed vice president - Industrial in September 2019 and later named senior vice president - Industrial in May 2023. Industrial encompasses numerous commodity areas, including construction, forest products, metals and ores, specialized markets, minerals, industrial chemicals, plastics, soda ash, sand, petroleum and LPG. She also serves as Chairperson of the Advisory Committee for MHX LLC, a transload company Union Pacific acquired in 2023.
Most recently, Bendon was assistant vice president - Industrial, a position she held since February 2018. Bendon began her career with Union Pacific in 1998 as a corporate auditor. Since then, she has held a number of roles within the Marketing & Sales department, including positions at UPDS, a previous wholly owned subsidiary of Union Pacific that is now part of Loup Logistics, as well as roles in the Chemicals, Industrial and Energy teams.
Bendon graduated summa cum laude from Creighton University with a BSBA in Finance. She and her husband, Mark, live in Omaha with their three children.
Farrukh Bezar
Littlejohn & Co.
Bio
Mr. Farrukh A. Bezar past Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of CSX. Bezar most recently served as founder and managing partner of Lynwood Partners, a leading transportation and logistics advisory firm. Prior to Lynwood, Bezar served in senior leadership roles within the transportation and logistics functions at Clarendon, Booz Allen Hamilton, and A.T. Kearney. He previously held sales and marketing positions at the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company and served as a financial analyst with Chase Manhattan Bank. Bezar received a BA in Economics and Political Science from Northwestern University and an MBA in Management, Marketing and Transportation from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. since 2019.
Mary Ann Bucci
Port of Pittsburgh Commission
Bio
Mary Ann Bucci
Executive Director
Mary Ann Bucci is the Executive Director of the Port of Pittsburgh
Commission. She began her career as the Port's Marketing
Director in 2000 and was later promoted to the role of Assistant
Executive Director, before being named Executive Director in
April 2016.
In her role with the Commission, she reports to a 15-member
Board comprised of Governor's appointees and state elected
officials. She proposes strategies and designs programs to carry out the mission of the Commission,
manages the staff and resources of the Commission, gathers public support to assist in carrying out the
mission and ensures the effective execution of the Commission's priorities consistent with the financial,
ethical, and legal constraints of the Commission. As an advocate for the inland waterways, Mary Ann is
at the forefront for initiatives regarding infrastructure, grant funding, business development, and
legislation on the local, state, and federal levels.
In addition, she organizes and participates in tours, programs, and press conferences to educate our
elected officials, commercial stakeholders, and the recreational boating community on the federal
funding issues for the lock and dam projects.
She is currently on the board of the Waterways Council, Inc., and the National Waterways Conference.
In addition, she is a member of the Waterways Association of Pittsburgh, the Traffic Club of Pittsburgh,
the Inland Rivers Ports & Terminals, the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, the Allegheny Conference,
and the Pittsburgh Safe Boating Council.
Mary Ann earned her bachelor's degree in Logistics from Robert Morris University
Gary Longo
FRA
Bio
Gary Longo is from Morristown, Tennessee having spent 12 years in the United States Marine Corps a combat veteran holding various positions such as Platoon Sergeant, Fleet Anti-Terrorist Company, 2nd Division Army Navy Gunfire Liaison Company, Senior Drill Instructor, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, San Diego, California. Honorably Discharged as the rank of Staff Sergeant he went to work with the railroad. Spending the next 18 years working in both the crafts and management, having worked in every mode of rail transportation from roadrailers, auto loading, high hazard flammable unit trains, port operations, mixed freight, and passenger service. Joining the US Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration in 2016 as a Hazardous Materials Railroad Safety Inspector and becoming dual certified as Grade Crossing Trespasser and Outreach Inspector in 2021 and accepting the position fulltime for Division 2, Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Additionally, Gary is the Associate Instructor for General Multi-Discipline Accident Investigation with TTSD in Pueblo Colorado.
Jeff Lytle
CIT
Bio
Jeff Lytle was appointed the president of CIT’s Rail business, effective April 1, 2018.
In this role, Lytle has oversight for all of CIT’s Rail operations, which include offering customized leasing and financing solutions and a diversified fleet of railcars to freight shippers and carriers.
Lytle’s career includes over 22 years of experience inrailcar leasing. He joined CIT in 2005 and most recently held the position of senior vice president in charge of leasing for CIT’s tank, plastic hopper and boxcar railcar portfolios.
Prior to joining CIT, he was senior vice president of sales for GE Rail for nine years. He also held several management positions at Ashland Chemical. Lytle received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and an MBA from Arizona State University.
Mike McClellan
Norfolk Southern
Bio
Michael R. McClellan
SVP, Chief Strategy Officer at Norfolk Southern Corporation
Contact
Michael R. McClellan is the current SVP, Chief Strategy Officer at Norfolk Southern Corporation. Michael has over 25 years of experience in management consulting and logistics optimization.
Prior to joining Norfolk Southern, Michael was a management consultant focused on supply chain cost reduction, network optimization, third party logistics implantation and supply chain software implementation. Their major clients included Ford Motor Company, Farmland, and Wierton Steel. In this role, they managed and supported multiple client engagements across the U.S. focused on supply chain improvement across a diverse portfolio of industries.
In 1997, Michael started their own independent consulting firm with specialties in logistics optimization, supply chain cost reduction, and company integration. Their major clients included Ford Motor Company, Norfolk Southern, and Gaylord Container. As a sole proprietor, they were in charge of developing clients and directing the successful execution of engagements that often involved the management of many subcontractors.
Michael has a proven track record in delivering value to their clients through their deep understanding of logistics and supply chain management. Michael is a strategic thinker who can see the big picture and develop creative solutions to complex problems. Michael is a trusted advisor who is respected for their integrity and commitment to their clients’ success.
Michael R. McClellan's educational career includes completing an Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School, a Master of Business Administration at the University of Cincinnati, and a Bachelor's Degree in Foreign Affairs and Economics from the University of Virginia.
Their manager is James A. Squires, Chairman, President & CEO. Some of their coworkers include Cynthia M. Sanborn - EVP, COO, Mark R. George - EVP, Finance & CFO, and Nabanita C. Nag - EVP, Chief Legal Officer.
Jason Seidl
TD Cowen
Bio
Bio
Jason Seidl joined TD Cowen in 2013 as part of the acquisition of Dahlman Rose and covers air freight & surface transportation. Prior to joining Dahlman Rose in 2008, he spent nine years on Wall Street following freight transportation companies. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his stock picking and EPS accuracy in numerous national polls and surveys. He was ranked #1 in the services Industry and #2 across all sectors in respective TipRanks’ 2023 Top Analysts of the Past Decade Polls. Mr. Seidl also spent nearly four years working in trucking/parcel transportation.
He has a Bachelor of Science degree in transportation distribution management from Syracuse University and a Master of Business administration with a concentration in Finance from Rutgers University. He is a member of the executive advisory board for Syracuse University’s School of Supply Chain Management, past President of the board of directors for the North East Association of Rail Shippers, and a contributing editor for Railway Age
Brian Smalley
National Steel Car
Bio
Brian Smalley, Senior Director Marketing & Sales, National Steel Car N.A. Inc.
Brian Smalley is currently Senior Director Marketing &Sales of National Steel Car North America Inc. Prior to National Steel Car, Mr. Smalley, held the position of President Commercial of eRail Commerce, Managing Director of Louisiana Rail Terminal & Storage, and Executive Recruiter for Edna A. Rice and associates. He was able to prospect and close several opportunities for clients in the logistics and railcar services sector. Mr. Smalley began his civilian career as an account manager and eventually, Sales Director, Northeast Region for Trinity Rail.
Mr. Smalley started his professional career in the United States Marine Corps Enlisting in 1991 he was selected for a commissioning program and received his commission in 1998. While a commissioned officer he deployed as a Platoon Commander and a Company Commander for 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. He led 285 Marines during Operation Iraqi Freedom and was ranked in the top 10% of all Captains in the Regiment. He received numerous awards to include Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Outstanding Volunteer Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and various commendations He served on active duty from December 1991 – December 2006.
He received a B.A. in Business with Honors from The Citadel in 1998 and an M.B.A. from Gonzaga University in 2006. He serves as a business mentor to Veteran Owned startup businesses through the Jonas Project. Mr. Smalley is on the Board of Directors for the NEARS. He is a past President for the National Marine Corps Business Network, Metro Atlanta Chapter. He is the Co-Chair of the Membership Committee for the Transportation Club of Houston and a member of several other professional organizations. He has two children and resides in the Houston, TX.
Paul Svindland
STG Logistics
Bio
Paul Svindland became CEO of STG Logistics in February 2020, bringing an executive vision honed from a decades-long career with both public and privately held companies in the logistics industry. Most recently, Paul served as CEO of Celadon Group, one of North America’s largest asset-based truckload carriers. He served as Chairman and CEO of Farren International, a leading, private-equity backed flatbed trucking company; COO of Pacer International (now STG Intermodal) and led the Transportation and Logistics consulting practice at AlixPartners. Paul spent his early years with Maersk. Paul also serves on the board of PE-backed company, American Trailer Rental Group (ATRG) as well as public company RoadRunner (RRTS).
Paul earned a BS degree from Syracuse University and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr Peter Swan
Penn State (Ret.)
Bio
Peter Swan comes to the school from the Smeal College of Business at the University Park campus. Dr. Swan earned his Ph.D. in business administration at the University of Michigan Business School. He holds an MBA from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan. He has published in such journals as Journal of Business Logistics, Transportation Journal, Public Works Management & Policy, International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, and Academy of Management Journal. Prior to joining academia, he spent a decade working in the railroad industry. Professional Affiliations • Transportation Research Board • Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals • American Society of Transportation and Logistics • Penn State Center for Supply Chain Research
Colby Tanner
BNSF Railroad
Bio
Colby Tanner
Group Vice President, Industrial Products
BNSF Work History
Colby Tanner was appointed group vice president, Industrial Products in 2021. In this role, Colby has sales and marketing responsibilities for the carload segment, including chemicals, building products, construction products, beverages, perishables and canned goods. Colby is also responsible for Economic Development and Corporate Real Estate, developing and leading programs that encourage rail-oriented industries to locate or expand their facilities on BNSF.
Corey Vasel
IntraMotev
Bio
Corey Vasel is a Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer at Intramotev Autonomous Rail since 2020. Prior to that, they worked as a Materials, Process, & Physics Engineer at Boeing from 2015 to 2020. In 2014, they worked as a Design/Project Engineer Intern at Thomas Industrial Coatings, where they were responsible for estimating takeoffs and development of bid proposals from blueprints and job site visits. Corey also designed a new bulk bag rack for supporting media above an abrasive blasting pot using Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk Mechanical Simulation. In 2013, they worked as a Manufacturing Engineering Intern at LMI Aerospace, Inc., where they were responsible for production quality, manufacturing efficiency, presenting technical information, 3D visual aids, manufacturing methods and procedures, and leadership. Corey also initiated a project to reduce part masking turn time and improve quality, resulting in improved turn time from 51 hours to 16 hours by implementing masking kits and use of customer CAD data.
Corey Vasel attended the Missouri University of Science and Technology from 2012 to 2015, where they earned a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering.
Mark Yeager
Redwood Logistics
Bio
Mark is currently CEO of Redwood Logistics and a Senior Adviser at CI Capital Partners, a leading New York based Private Equity firm with $1.9 billion in assets under management. Prior to joining Simplified and CI, Mr. Yeager served in a variety of roles at Hub Group, Inc. He was Vice Chairman of the Board from November 2008 through August 2015, President from January 2005 through August 2015 and Chief Operating Officer from May 2004 through August 2015. During his 23 year career at Hub, he was also President-Field Operations, Division President and Secretary and General Counsel.