International Rail Partners LLCwas recently formed to pursue the acquisition and operation of freight railroads outside of the United States, as well as other rail-related support businesses worldwide.
In addition to its corporate headquarters located in Boca Raton, Florida, the Company also has an office in San Francisco, California.
The IRP leadership team is led by Managing Member Gary O. Marino, former Chairman, CEO and President of RailAmerica, and founder of Patriot Rail Corp. Other IRP managers include Donald Redfearn, former President of RailAmerica and Executive Vice President of Patriot Rail Corp., and Bennett Marks, former Executive Vice President & CFO of RailAmerica and Patriot Rail.
Combined, these executives have over 65 years of experience in the railroad industry.
While at RailAmerica, these executives directed the growth of the company from a 1986 start-up to the world’s largest short line and regional railroad operator with over 50 short line railroads and more than $500 million in revenue. In 2007, RailAmerica was sold to Fortress Investment Group for $1.2 billion.
This management team also founded Patriot Rail in 2006 and through select acquisitions grew the company into one of the premier U.S. short line railroad holding companies. Patriot Rail was sold to SteelRiver Infrastructure Partners in June 2012.
Gary O. Marino, Managing Member of IRP, said, “We are excited to enter this new business venture and look forward to repeating our success by building IRP into a world class rail transportation service provider. We have an ambitious strategic plan to make a number of select freight rail acquisitions outside of the United States over the coming years. In partnership with our rail operations, IRP also seeks to acquire ancillary rail service providers located in the U.S., Canada, and other countries. Our goal is to utilize our expertise to enhance operations and add significant value to our acquisitions.”
