Rail transportation
10 rail freight contract experts
These ten professionals have negotiated, managed or set strategy for rail freight contracts and rates in their own rail and transportation roles. A reader can learn how companies negotiate and manage rail freight contracts with railroads.
Professionals to explore
01—10Aaron Hegeman
LinkedInExperience: Director, Rail Development · Republic Services
Former Director, Rail Development at Republic Services (2018–2025) and Director and Group Lead, Public Private Partnerships at BNSF Railway (2010–2018); Principal Consultant at Relentless Expert Logistics since 2025. The profile describes leading procurement and negotiation of all rail services contracts and developing new rail-served municipal solid waste handling facilities.
Adam Achten
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Intermodal Rail Relationships · Schneider
Vice President, Intermodal Rail Relationships at Schneider since February 2018. At Schneider the profile also lists Director of Market Management (2014–2018) and Director of Strategic Pricing (2009–2014). The profile describes developing relationships with Class 1 and regional railroads, negotiating master contracts and developing and implementing contract strategy.
Beth Deckert
LinkedInExperience: Rail Operations Manager · JBS USA
Rail Operations Manager at JBS USA since August 2022; former Senior Logistics Manager at Griffin Industries (2003–2022). The profile describes handling car lease negotiations, railroad rate negotiations, implementation of rail software and financials concerning rail and barge transportation in the JBS USA role.
Chuck Boa
LinkedInExperience: Director, Rail Contract Management · Nutrien
Director, Rail Contract Management at Nutrien since June 2026. Other roles include Director, Logistics and Operations at Lafarge Canada (2021–2025) and at Amrize FKA Lafarge (2025–2026), Supply and Logistics Manager at Lafarge Canada (2018–2021) and Rail Modal Manager at Lafarge Canada (2012–2018).
Craig Havlik
LinkedInExperience: Rail Transportation Manager · MTI- Mineral Technologies
Rail Transportation Manager at MTI- Mineral Technologies since 1997. The profile describes managing $55 million of rail freight transportation, including negotiating rates and renewals and constructing logistical rates for customers, as well as procuring all railcar leasing needs to supplement railroad carrier cars.
Doug Lumry
LinkedInExperience: NA Rail, Equipment & Transloading Category Manager · IFF
NA Rail, Equipment & Transloading Category Manager at IFF since February 2021, and Past President of the SOUTHWEST ASSOCIATION OF RAIL SHIPPERS (SWARS). The profile describes developing and implementing logistics sourcing and procurement strategies for contracts related to rail, truck, barge and ocean freight, and leading transportation and logistics teams of up to 150 employees.
Gail Wernette
LinkedInExperience: Manager, Rail Rates · Nutrien
Former Manager, Rail Rates at Nutrien (2004–2020) and Supervisor, Rail Rates at Nutrien (2000–2004); Consultant at On the Rail Logistics LLC since 2020. The profile describes replacing single-year contracts with multiyear contracts to end contentious relations, and training direct reports on freight payables, reading rate documents and developing rates.
Patricia Martinez
LinkedInExperience: Rail Contract Manager · Shell Energy
Rail Contract Manager at Shell Energy since August 2022; the profile also lists Chemical Transportation Analyst at Shell since 2014. The profile describes managing the rail freight contracts with logistics service providers (Class 1 Railroads) and serving as Lead Contract Holder for Enterprise rail contracts.
Robin Sturgeon
LinkedInExperience: Rail Market Manager · Georgia-Pacific LLC
Former Rail Market Manager at Georgia-Pacific LLC (2008–2020); Senior Manager, Rail Procurement at KBX Rail since October 2020. At Georgia-Pacific LLC the profile also lists Transportation Operations Manager Structural Panels Division (2004–2008). The profile describes strategic negotiation of rail rates and services for consumer products in the Georgia-Pacific role.
Ryan Warner
LinkedInExperience: Senior Manager, Rail Pricing · Bunge North America
Former Senior Manager, Rail Pricing at Bunge North America (2012–2019) and Senior Manager, Rail Trading, Western US at Bunge North America (2004–2012). The profile describes leading railroad freight rate negotiations and administration for Bunge North America in the US, Canada and Mexico, and working with business units to negotiate savings and reduce freight spend with railroads.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's side of the table to your question, since a shipper negotiating its own rail rates and a logistics company buying rail capacity see contracts differently. Also weigh how recent their rail contract work is if your question depends on current railroad pricing.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you prepare for a rail contract renewal with a Class I railroad when you have few routing alternatives?
- 02When does a multiyear rail contract make more sense than a single-year agreement or tariff rates?
- 03Which contract terms beyond the rate itself matter most for service and cost over the life of a rail agreement?
Reaching rail freight contract experts
How can I contact one of these rail freight contract experts?
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 9 companies, including Republic Services, Schneider and JBS USA, 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 rail freight contract experts?
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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