LAKEVILLE, NY – The western New York-Pennsylvania region is experiencing an industrial renaissance, with major manufacturing and logistics companies locating here to take advantage of the proximity to major markets across the Northeast and Central U.S. Global and regional supply chain issues have caused a resurgence in interest for more comprehensive logistics and real estate solutions. And, safety, performance and customer service continue to be key differentiators in the transportation industry.
To address these opportunities, Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroads (LA&L), which operates the Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad (LAL), Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad (WNYP) and B&H Rail Corp. (BH), has named Robert Babcock as its President and CEO. Babcock, who has experience at both Class I and regional rail lines, assumes his new role September 26, 2022.
“Robert is a well-respected leader in the rail industry, with in-depth knowledge of practically every facet of the business. He has both operational and commercial experience, and a long record of positive results, which makes him the ideal person to lead the next stage of our company’s growth,” said Nancy Bailey, Chairperson of LA&L.
Babcock’s appointment provides LA&L with more than three decades of industry expertise, covering railroad operations, sales and marketing, fiscal management, logistics management and equipment management. He will work to advance LA&L’s culture that focuses on safety and customer service, while making the company an employer of choice for the region and within the rail industry.
“LA&L is well positioned to create a strong network of diverse rail properties in a critical region of the country, one with tremendous prospects for freight growth, real estate and logistics services. I’m excited to work with the current team and our commercial and industrial development partners to help the company reach its full potential,” said Babcock.
Babcock was most recently General Manager/Vice President/Senior Vice President of the Indiana Rail Road (INRD), where he was responsible for train operations, car/locomotion repair, systems safety and training, customer service, engineering and intermodal marketing and operations. He was previously General Manager of the Baltimore, Louisville & Appalachian Divisions and Managing Director of Car Management at CSX Transportation, and Superintendent of Operations at BNSF Railway. Babcock started his rail career as a business development manager at Santa Fe Railway. He holds a BS in Transportation Management from Indiana University and is a board member of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association and the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers.
About the Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroads
Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroads safely serves freight customers across western New York and Pennsylvania with pride and distinction, offering multiple interchanges with Class 1 railroads and award-winning logistics solutions. The Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad (LAL) operates in Livingston and Monroe Counties, south of Rochester, while B&H Rail Corp. (BH) serves Steuben County, northwest of Corning, NY. The affiliated Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad (WNYP) covers southwestern New York and northwestern Pennsylvania. The company actively works with the area economic development agencies and related groups to bring rail-served industrial, manufacturing and logistics companies to the region. More information is available at https://lalrr.com.
