Бывший сотрудник HDR стал новым гендиректором железнодорожной компании Palmetto Railways

South Carolina’s short-haul railroad has named a former staffer as its next CEO, less than week after its top executive took a new job at the State Ports Authority. Palmetto Railways announced Aug. 24 that Tarek “T” Ravenel will succeed Patrick McCrory, effective Sept 8. Ravenel has more than two decades of transportation, logistics and construction industry experience. Most recently, he was associate vice president and east region freight rail market sector leader for the global engineering firm HDR. “Ravenel’s proven track record in transportation and infrastructure leadership will steer the organization into its next phase of growth, investment and economic impact across South Carolina,” the Charleston-based railroad organization wrote in a statement. Palmetto Railways has been a division of the S.C. Commerce Department since 1993. Ravenel has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the College of Charleston. He worked for Palmetto Railways for nearly a decade as director of special projects and a project manager. He left to join HDR in 2022. Previously, he was an operations manager for Atlantic Coast Materials, which imports construction aggregates through Charleston and Savannah. "Having spent much of my career helping develop and deliver projects that strengthen our state's transportation network, I am excited to work alongside our employees, customers … and other partners and stakeholders as we continue investing in the infrastructure, relationships and innovation that drive economic opportunity across South Carolina," Ravenel said in the prepared statement. S.C. Ports announced last week the hiring of his predecessor. McCrory is leaving to join the Mount Pleasant-based maritime agency as chief operating officer effective Oct. 5. He had joined Palmetto Railways as a vice president in 2013 and was promoted to president and CEO in mid-2022. “T understands our organization, our people and the important role we play in supporting South Carolina’s economy," McCrory said. “His extensive experience in freight rail and infrastructure, combined with his deep knowledge of Palmetto Railways and the relationships he has built throughout the state, will provide valuable continuity as the organization moves forward.” Palmetto Railways was established in 1966 by the state and formerly operated as S.C. Public Railways. Its locomotives run on several sets of short-haul tracks and provide a connection to CSX’s and Norfolk Southern’s networks. The railroad recently reactivated an existing 40-mile line that runs between Hampton and Colleton counties. It expects to complete a new $209 million, 23-mile segment between Cross and the Volvo plant in Camp Hall Commerce Park in lower Berkeley County this fall.