Patriot Rail Company has announced executive leadership changes to support its growth and align its leadership structure.
Effective Nov. 1, Thomas J. Tisa will join the company as Patriot Rail’s new chief commercial officer.
Tisa has more than 30 years of industry experience, having held key positions in sales and marketing at Canadian National and CSX and most recently played a critical role in leading the CSX Short Line Development team and strategic initiatives. Patriot Rail officials said his extensive background in industrial development and boosting supply chain networks, with relationships from coast to coast, will drive Patriot Rail’s commercial success.
Patriot Rail’s current chief commercial officer, Robert Turnauckas, will assume a new position as president of scenic rail excursions. Turnauckas brings a unique background to the role, having previously held the chief marketing and communication officer position at Metrolink in southern California, along with over 25 years of leadership in the tourism and hospitality industry with prominent organizations such as Ritz-Carlton Resorts, Marriot Hotels and Sea World.
Over the past several years, Patriot Rail’s scenic rail tourist business has experienced remarkable growth. In addition to the company’s award-winning excursion service in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia, Patriot acquired a scenic railway franchise in the White Mountains of New Hampshire last year and plans to reestablish a tourist train service operating out of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
With these initiatives, Patriot Rail has established a new Excursion division within the company, which necessitates dedicated and experienced leadership to meet growing demand and advance Patriot Rail’s thriving tourist rail program.
These executive leadership changes reflect Patriot Rail Company’s commitment to strategic growth, delivering first-class service, and ensuring the company remains at the forefront of the short-line industry.
