Rail transportation
10 CFOs in rail transportation
These ten chief financial officers lead finance at railroads and rail transportation companies, including freight railroads and a passenger rail operator. A reader can learn from them how rail finance leaders approach capital planning, financial reporting and funding for a business built on long-lived track and equipment.
Professionals to explore
01—10Allen Polfer
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Chief Financial Officer · Iowa Interstate Railroad
Vice President Chief Financial Officer at Iowa Interstate Railroad since February 2024, after serving there as Chief Financial Officer (2021–2024) and Controller (2017–2021). Former Assurance Senior at Creative Planning Business Services (2014–2017) and Audit Assistant at Deloitte (2012–2014).
Costin Corneanu
LinkedInExperience: EVP & CFO · Amtrak
EVP & CFO at Amtrak since August 2025, a rail company offering train and bus travel services. At Amtrak the profile also lists Deputy Chief Financial Officer (2025), Senior Vice President Finance (2023–2025), Vice President FP&A and EPMO, Head of Finance (2021–2023) and Vice President of Financial Planning & Analysis, Head of Finance (2020–2021).
Ghislain Houle
LinkedInExperience: Executive Vice-President & CFO · CN
Executive Vice-President & CFO at CN since June 2016; CN is described as a transportation and logistics company providing rail shipping, intermodal, trucking and warehousing services. Former VP Finance at CN (2008–2016) and Director of Finance at CN (1997–2008).
Kevin Christy, CPA
LinkedInExperience: Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer · Conrail
Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer at Conrail since January 2025; Conrail is described as a local rail service provider moving customers' freight shipments. Other Conrail roles listed are Senior Director - Financial Planning (2024), Director - Financial Planning & Reporting (2021–2024), Assistant Controller (2019–2021) and Accounting Manager (2018–2019).
Mark Erceg
LinkedInExperience: Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer · Canadian Pacific
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Canadian Pacific since May 2015, a role the profile describes as EVP and CFO for Canadian Pacific Railway Limited. Former Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Masonite (2010–2015) and General Manager, Global Investor Relations at Procter & Gamble (2008–2010).
Matt Nelson
LinkedInExperience: Chief Financial Officer · Patriot Rail
Chief Financial Officer at Patriot Rail since January 2021, after serving as its Vice President Accounting and Finance (2020–2021); Patriot Rail is listed as a rail transportation company. Former Vice President Finance and Investor Relations at Advanced Disposal Services, Inc. (2015–2020), and Director Payroll Services (2013–2015) and Director Treasury Finance (2010–2013) at CSX.
Nate Servis
LinkedInExperience: Chief Financial Officer · Cando Rail & Terminals
Chief Financial Officer at Cando Rail & Terminals since January 2024, a provider of first and last mile rail operating services and terminal infrastructure. The profile says the role oversees Cando's finance, capital markets and corporate development and M&A functions. Former Managing Director, Investment Banking at Wells Fargo (2010–2024).
Nicole Teska, CPA, CFE
LinkedInExperience: Chief Financial Officer · Gulf & Ohio Railways, Inc.
Chief Financial Officer at Gulf & Ohio Railways, Inc. since September 2023. Former Audit Partner at Bowers Accountants & Advisors (2004–2023); the profile describes a public accountant and certified fraud examiner with over 19 years of experience and an expertise in the short-line railroad industry, and mentions a Progressive Railroading Rising Star award.
Tom Savage
LinkedInExperience: Chief Financial Officer · Genesee & Wyoming Inc.
Chief Financial Officer at Genesee & Wyoming Inc. since May 2020; the company is described as owning or leasing 115 freight railroads worldwide. Former SVP, Corporate Development & Treasurer (2012–2020) and Director, Corporate Development (2005–2012) at the same company, and Associate at Ahern & Partners Advisors Co., Inc. (2001–2005).
Wilken Bormann
LinkedInExperience: Chief Financial Officer · DB Fernverkehr
Chief Financial Officer at DB Fernverkehr since April 2023, a rail transportation company based in Frankfurt am Main. Former Chief Financial Officer and Labor Director at LSG Group (2022–2023), Executive Vice President Group Finance at Lufthansa Group (2020–2022) and CFO Lufthansa Airlines (2016–2017).
Choose the right perspective
Match the CFO's type of railroad to your question, since a large freight network, a regional railroad and a passenger operator face very different capital, regulatory and revenue questions. Also read each person's other roles, which show whether they came up inside rail finance, through corporate development and treasury, or from banking and other industries.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you set the capital budget between track maintenance, equipment and growth projects in a railroad?
- 02What financial metrics do you watch most closely to judge the health of a rail business, and why?
- 03How does financing and reporting differ when a rail company grows through acquisitions of other railroads or terminals?
Reaching CFOs in rail transportation
How can I contact one of these CFOs in rail transportation?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Iowa Interstate Railroad, Amtrak and CN, based on profile data retrieved on October 3, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach CFOs in rail transportation?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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