CHICAGO — Nicholas J. Matthews is joining FreightCar America Inc. as Vice President-Operations later this month and is expected to become Senior Vice President-Operations in spring 2008.
Matthews will serve as a key member of FreightCar America’s leadership team and will be based at the Company’s Chicago headquarters.
Matthews is expected to succeed Ken Bridges as Senior Vice President-Operations after Bridges’ retirement. Matthews joins the Company from Trinity Industries, where he spent fourteen years serving in various technical and operations positions of expanding leadership scope.
In his most recent role, he served as Trinity’s Senior Vice President-Operations for that company’s freight car business. Matthews also served Trinity as Senior Vice President-Component Sales and Distribution, and Vice President and General Manager of the boxcar business.
Earlier in his career, he held roles in business planning, manufacturing engineering, quality assurance and site operations leadership.
“We are extremely pleased that Nick Matthews has agreed to join FreightCar America. He has considerable industry experience that will allow us to build on our reputation for operational excellence,” said Chris Ragot, President and Chief Executive Officer of FreightCar America, Inc. “We expect that Nick will be instrumental in continuing our drive for world-class cost competitiveness while still producing products of the highest quality.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Ken Bridges for his years of dedicated service to FreightCar America,” Ragot said. “Ken has played a key role in the growth of FreightCar America. … Following his retirement, Ken will continue with the Company as a consultant on major projects and initiatives. He has truly been a significant part of our success. We wish him all the best in the future.”
— Business Wire
