CEO

Harald Eller

Harald co-founded Global Rail Group in 2021 as the CEO after being part of Senior Management in the Plasser & Theurer Group for 25 years.
He worked in senior management positions in the railway industry for nearly 30 years, shaping the companies profiles, actively designing strategies, and creating strong international teams. His education in finance with early steps in international auditing and consulting, combined with his long-lasting  career in a high-tech global environment, allows Harald to lead the challenge of creating the first ever knowledge provider group of companies for railway superstructure (Global Rail Group).
During his career he has founded 3 start-ups, taught Managing Accounting as an associated professor at the Instituto de Empresa, been member of numerous Boards of Directors at Plasser & Theurer Group and in his spare time supports NGOs for  kids and women health and education.

COO

Gabrielle Costigan

Gabrielle brings 20 years of experience to Global Rail in a range of different industries such as Manufacturing, Production and Technology. She started her career in 1999 with a  global, international leader in consultancy company with headquarters in the United Sates.
Between 2007-2018, she then spent 10 years with an oil and gas super major, where she held numerous leadership positions in  Austria and the Middle East.
In 2018, she was the Managing Director of the first innovation hub in Vienna, Austria (weXelerate) which opened its doors in late 2017. Gabrielle joined Global Rail Group as the COO in 2021.

Chief Technical Business Development Officer, Global Rail North America

Adam Sohasky

Adam has more than 14 years’ experience in Railway Track Management. Adam Joined Global Rail in September of 2023 as a Senior Technical & Business Development Officer. Adam Started his career in the Rail Industry in the Design & Construction department at CN Rail where he led the design, development, and implementation of capacity upgrades across CN’s network as well business development of Crude Oil Loop Train facilities, coal terminals and Frac Sand terminals. From there Adam moved onto track maintenance becoming a front-line supervisor responsible for the safe, efficient operation & maintenance of 300 miles of track; leading 50+ unionized employees. After that, Adam assumed the role of running CN’s Network Engineering Operations. Managing Rail Grinding & Milling, Ultrasonic Inspection, Lubrication & Welding across CN’s 19,000-mile track network.

Previous Experience

2022 – 2023:
Canadian National Railway Company – Senior Manager Rail & Testing
2017 – 2022:
Canadian National Railway Company – Manager Rail & Testing
2013 – 2017:
Canadian National Railway Company – Field Engineer April
2009 – 2012:
Canadian National Railway Company – Civil Engineering

Educational Background

Bachelor of Science – BS Civil Engineering Michigan Technological University

Publications

˃ Laboratory Evaluation of Gage Face Lubricants Using Disc-on-Disc Testing Mark D. Richards, PhD, EVRAZ NA and Adam Sohasky, Canadian National Railroad

Industry Positions & Memberships

˃ University lecturer for “Railway Maintenance” (Vienna University of Technology);

˃ University lecturer for “Life cycle management and predictive maintenance” (St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences)

˃ AREMA Committee 4 Subcommittee 4

˃ Friction Management, 8

˃ Nondestructive Testing of Rail & 9

˃ Railway, Grinding & Lubrication Michigan Technological University Rail Transportation Advisory Board, Vice Chair

Speaks

English, German

Board Member, Canada

Mike Roney

Michael Roney, P. Eng, IntPE, is an internationally registered professional engineer specializing in railway engineering and safety management. He has provided advisory services for heavy haul projects across the globe, including Australia, China, India, South Africa, Scandinavia, Brazil, and the USA. Before consulting, he spent 32 years with Canadian Pacific Railway, retiring as General Manager, Track and Structures. He holds a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Queen’s University and is a past Chairman of the International Heavy Haul Association.

Previous Experience

2013–2023:
Consultant and Sole Proprietor, Iron Moustache, Gananoque, Ontario, Canada

2013–2015:
Chairman, CPCS Transcom, Ottawa, ON

2011–2013:
General Manager, Track and Structures, Canadian Pacific, Calgary, AB

2006–2011:
General Manager, Technical Standards and Chief Engineer, Canadian Pacific, Calgary, AB

2003–2005:
General Manager, Track Maintenance, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

2002:
General Manager, Rail Division, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON

2000–2001:
General Manager, Services and Systems, Engineering and Mechanical, Canadian Pacific, Calgary, AB

1996–1999:
Director, Standards and Systems, Canadian Pacific, Montreal, QC

1990–1996:
Manager, Track Technology, Canadian Pacific, Montreal, QC

1987–1990:
Manager, Engineering Systems, Canadian Pacific, Montreal, QC

1986:
Assistant Engineer – Track, Canadian Pacific, Montreal, QC

1982–1985:
Manager, Engineering Systems, Canadian Pacific, Montreal, QC

1981–1982:
Project Engineer, Canadian Pacific, Montreal, QC

1980:
Research Associate, BHP Melbourne Research Laboratories, Melbourne, Australia

1976–1979:
Research Associate, Canadian Institute of Guided Ground Transport, Kingston, ON

Educational Background

Mobility Register, Registered International PE, Engineers Canada
Master of Science in Civil Engineering (Transportation), Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, 1976
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Hons. 1st Class), Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, 1973

Publications

Author or co-author of 39 papers in refereed journals and proceedings, and co-author of three textbooks on wheel and rail maintenance and track infrastructure best practice. He is on the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (UK) Editorial Board for the Journal of Rail and Rail Rapid Transit.

Industry Positions & Memberships

˃ Member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta
˃ Member of the Professional Engineers Ontario

Speaks

English
French

Chief Relationship Officer, ARM

Gordon Bachinsky

Mr. Bachinsky has been the President of Advanced Rail Management since 1990. Gordon is skilled at the management of employees and the supervision of large projects and contracts. A recognized leader in the field of rail grinding strategies and the field of wheel/rail interaction, Gordon is called upon to help direct an industry in search of practical long-term solutions on the cutting edge of technology and research.

Mr. Bachinsky brings more than 45 years of railway and rail transit experience to the ARM team. Much of his experience relates to the management of rail grinding programs and overall optimization of the wheel/rail interface. Having worked with many railways and rail transit systems in North America, Mr. Bachinsky has first-hand knowledge of how to design and implement an effective turnkey vehicle/track interaction strategy.

Global Head of Academy and Training

André Büttner

 André has 20 years of experience in Training and Coaching, including 7 years of managing training academies for various automotive clients. He joined Global Rail, in Leverkusen, Germany, in October as the Global Head of Academy & Training. 

Previous Experience

2018 – 2024: Manager Learning & Development at MSX International

2016-2018 Sales Curriculum Manager at Raytheon Professional Services GmbH

2012-2016 Commercial Training EMEA at Hyster-Yale Group

Educational Background

Business Administration (Diploma)

Speaks

German, English, Spanish

Head of Academy (Europe)

Frank Buchmann

Frank has more than 22 years of experience in the railway infrastructure sector and has held various positions, including Interoparability Expert and leadership roles. Frank joint Global Rail Group in 2023 as Senior Expert of Global Certifications and Regulations.

Previous Experience

2020 – 2023:
Head of Department “Train running simulation and trafficability studies” at Deutsche Bahn, DB Netz AG
2011 – 2020:
Head of Department “Running Dynamics/Tonnage Rating Calculation” at Deutsche Bahn, DB Netz AG
2010 – 2017:
CER Speaker for TSI Infrastructure, CER (Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies)
2007 – 2011: Interoperability Expert at Deutsche Bahn, DB Netz AG

2004 – 2005:
Supervisor Installation, Taiwan Shinkansen Trackwork Joint Venture (TSTJV) on behalf of Deutsche Bahn AG and Pfleiderer Track Systems (today RAIL.ONE GmbH)
2002 – 2006:
Consulting Engineer Track and Rules at Deutsche Bahn, DB Systemtechnik GmbH
2001 – 2002:
Project-Engineer at Spiekermann GmbH Consulting Engineers

Educational Background

Dresden University of Technology
Dipl.-Bauing. (TU), Civil Engineering

Publications

˃ Bahnwesen, 6. Auflage (Kapitel 3 Trassierungselemente)Bahnwesen, 6. Auflage (Kapitel 3 Trassierungselemente), Werner Verlag, 2011

˃ Das Infrastrukturregister der DB AG, EI – DER EISENBAHNINGENIEUR | Ausgabe 05/2009, DVV Media Group GmbH

˃ Grenzlastberechnung bei der DB Netz AG, EI – DER EISENBAHNINGENIEUR | Ausgabe 04/2018, DVV Media Group GmbH

˃ GretA: Der GrenzlastAnzeiger der DB Netz AG, Deine Bahn 10/2020, Bahn Fachverlag GmbH Handbuch

˃ Das System Bahn, 3. Auflage (Kapitel 7.2 – Fahrdynamik der Zugfahrt), PMC Media House GmbH, 2021

Speaks

German
English

Project Consultant

Eric Magel

A specialist in the vehicle/track interaction, Eric researches, teaches and consults on problems of wear, fatigue, corrugation, noise, ride quality and derailment on heavy haul, passenger and light rail systems. With over 30 years experience in the rail industry, he has consulted on various wheel/rail problems for nearly sixty passenger and freight-systems on every continent except Antarctica. His current work is focused on wheel-rail performance, rail grinding and noise on transit systems.

Previous Experience

1993-2023:
Research Officer, National Research Council Canada
2022-2023:
Manager R&D for ENSCO, Inc. at the Transportation Technology Center (Pueblo Colorado)
2010-2012:
Executive Director, Canadian Hydraulics Center, NRC (Ottawa)
2006-2008:
Director – Rail Division, Center for Surface Transportation Technology, NRC

Educational Background

Masters of Applied Science (University of British Columbia)

Registered Professional Engineer, British Columbia, Canada

Publications

Authored over 80 publications and 120 technical reports, including:

˃ The application of contact mechanics to rail profile design and rail grinding, Wear 2002

˃ Rolling contact fatigue, wear and broken rail derailments, Wear 2016

˃ Rolling contact fatigue: a comprehensive review, FRA report 2011

˃ M.A.Sc. Thesis: Experimental and theoretical studies of the wear of heat exchanger tubes, University of British Columbia, April 1990.”

Industry Positions & Memberships

˃ Founder and member, International Collaborative Research Initiative (ICRI) on RCF and Wear of Rail/Wheel Systems

Speaks

English

Head of Communications & Marketing

Meenakshi Bhattacharya

Meenakshi has over 11 years of experience in Brand Communication and Marketing. With a Masters in Advertising & Brand Communication and an international, multicultural background, she brings a global and adaptive perspective to the Communications team. She joined Global Rail Group in 2022.

Head of IT and Public Relations

Florian Polterauer

Florian brings more than 12 years experience as Business Development Manager at Plasser & Theurer and joined Global Rail Group in July 2021 right at the conception of the company.

Head of Finance

Viktoria Salzbrunn

Viktoria has over 15 years of experience in  accounting and finance.
She has joined Global Rail Group in September 2022.

Head of Operations

Doris Wolfesberger

Doris has 13 years of experience in Banking and Consulting industry. She holds a Master’s in Finance, Accounting & Taxation.  From her various roles as subject-matter expert, project and team lead, she brings a lot of knowledge to the general management and operations topics.
She joined Global Rail Group in May 2022 as Head of Operations.

Senior Manager

Andreas Oberhauser

Andreas has more than 14 years of experience as an expert in Urban Rail Management and is an active member of the railway community in Austria, where he is well-known as an lecturer and researcher at several universities.

Previous Experience

2018 – 2021:
Head of Department Track Infrastructure at Wiener Linien
2011 – 2018:
Head of Staff Unit Infrastructure Inspection at Wiener Linien
2007 – 2011:
Maintenance Process Manager Track at Wiener Linien
2003 – 2007:
Research Fellow at Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien)

Educational Background

Dr. Techn. (Ph.D.) in Civil Engineering; TU Wien

Publications

˃ Monitoring, understanding and maintenance of rail defects on a European metro system (Stuart L Grassie, Andreas Oberhauser, Michael Ostermann, Bernhard Hinterndorfer, Werner Wehr, Philip Ali)

˃ 12th International Conference on Contact Mechanics and Wear of Rail/Wheel Systems (CM2022), Melbourne, Australia, 4-7 September, 2022

˃ Enhance the Environmental Performance of Railway Infrastructure, Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences (M. Fracchia, R. Carlson, P. Steckler, A. Oberhauser, N. Leitao)

Industry Positions & Memberships

˃ University lecturer for “Railway Maintenance” (Vienna University of Technology);

˃ University lecturer for “Life cycle management and predictive maintenance” (St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences)

˃ CEN TC 256 SC1 WG18 DG15 Urban Rail Switches and Crossings

˃ CEN/CENELEC – Member of the Urban Rail Survey Group within the mandate M/486 of the European Commission

˃ Forschungsgesellschaft Straße – Schiene – Verkehr (FSV): Work Group Leader AA EB13 “Regional Railways”

Awards

˃ Federal Transport Award 2008 (“Staatspreis Verkehr 2008“) for Research project “Energy systems for TunnelThermics®” for TU Wien and Wiener LinienProfessor

˃ Julius Kar-Award for excellent studies at BOKU Vienna

Speaks

German, English, Italian

Head of Academy North America

Michael Prock

Michael brings extensive industry experience and a proven track record in leadership roles across the rail and commercial construction sectors. With over a decade of experience in senior positions, including roles as Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at SABATCO and Director of Grinding Systems at Loram, he has a reputation for developing high-performing teams and leading organizations through transformational growth. Michael joined Global Rail Group as Head of Academy – North America, in September 2024.

Previous Experience

2020 – 2023: Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at SABATCO, U.A.E.

2018-2019 Director, Grinding Systems & Services at LORAM U.K. LTD. Derby, U.K.

2009-2018 Manager, Rail Grinding; Manager, Specialty Rail Grinding; Machine Operator – General Superintendent at Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc, Hamel, MN (U.S.)

Educational Background

Mathematics and Computer Science, B.S. (Honours), University of Central Missouri

Speaks

English, conversational Spanish, basic modern Arabic

Lead Technology Coordinator

Teever Handal

Teever has more than 38 years working experience in the rail industry. He spent 11 years with the Association of American Railroads at the Transportation Test Center helping develop vehicle dynamic simulation software, performing vehicle/track interaction and wheel/rail interaction research. He worked for a Progressive Rail Technologies providing truck performance and wheel impact detectors, and consulting on derailment analysis and vehicle/track interaction studies. Since 2014 Teever has been working for ARM in data analysis, as a wheel/rail interaction specialist, and technical expert in vehicle/track interaction. During his career he has provided assistance to clients in North America, Europe, Australia, Brazil, and India.

Recruitment Services Manager

Kenan Čabrić

Kenan joined Global Rail in 2024 and with a strong technical background as a Railway Traffic Technician he understands the skillset required and can identify an asset for Global Rail’s recruitment services. With a great range of language skills, experiences and problem solving abilities, Kenan is poised to provide new solutions to optimize operational efficiency and to add value to the railway industry. 

2012-2014: Transport Logistics Manager Cargo Vagon d.o.o.

2014-2016: Production Manager Eurocorp d.o.o.

2017-2018: Mail and Package Delivery Deutsche Post

2023-2024: Disponent Željeznice federacije Bosne i Hercegovin (ŽFBiH)

Educational Background

School of Transport and Electrical Engineering Doboj, Railway Traffic Technician

Speaks

Bosnian, German, English, French

Manager

Elena Crespo Domingo

Elena has more than 6 years experience in the railway infrastructure sector, including different roles ranging from new line design consultancy in her previous experience at Plasser & Theurer, where she was part of the Technology Center Purkersdorf and was involved in the development of smart systems for the evaluation of the infrastructure condition.
She has an M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) and did part of her studies in RWTH Aachen University.
Elena joined Global Rail Group in September 2021 and worked on projects for the optimization and digitalization of railway superstructure asset management, with a strong focus on track geometry and ballast bed condition.

Previous Experience

2021 – 2022:
Senior Consultant at Global Rail Consulting
2018 – 2021:
Innovation Project Engineer Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen G.m.b.H.
2017 – 2018:
Junior Signalling Project Engineer at INECO

Educational Background

MSc Mechanical Engineering
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)

Speaks

English, Spanish, German

Project Manager

Geoff Risi

Geoff is a skilled operations manager and sales trainer with experience in business development across many industries such as telecom, computers, and light machinery. In 2015, Geoff joined the railway industry with CNR where he worked as a conductor/locomotive operator, machine supervisor, fire prevention specialist and led many projects in Rail Grinding, Ultrasonic Inspection, and Welding. There he worked as an engineering technical officer for CN Rail’s Network Engineering Operations department until he joined the ARM/GRNA team as project manager in April 2024.

Previous Experience

2015 – 2024: Engineering Technical Officer at CN Rail specializing in Rail Grinding,

2014-2014 Project manager LEDCOR group/Telus Mobility

2009-2013 General Manager Springmasters Canada specializing in Sales Training 

Educational Background

St Mary’s College Diploma

Speaks

English

Manager - Data Services

Sean Regehr

Sean has 10 years of railroad experience. He holds a degree in Civil Engineering and an M.Sc. in Transportation Engineering from the University of Manitoba, and is an active member of AREMA Committee 2.
He joined ARM/Global Rail Group in 2016.

Senior Training Manager

John Schaefer

John brings over 35 years of combined experience in the areas of Railroad Technologies, Industrial Maintenance, Instructional. He is retired from the US Army and had worked as an Automotive Manufacturing Engineer for IMS Gear and as a Plasser American Field Service Representative. He currently holds a Master of Project Management and a B.S. in Technical Management and is an active member of AREMA Committee 27. John joined Global Rail Group in 2019.

Previous Experience

2014-2019: 
Manufacturing Engineer for IMS Gear USA
2008-2014:
Field Service Rep for Plasser American, specializing in Transit Rail
1985-2007:
US Army: Field Artillery, 18th Airborne, Operations and Training

Educational Background

Master of Project Management, Keller Graduate School of Management (DeVry University)

Industry Positions & Memberships

˃ Board member: Arts Alive Council,  City of Chesapeake

˃ AREMA Committee 27: Maintenance of Way Work Equipment

Speaks

English

Senior Consultant

Roger Campbell

Roger has more than 8 years of experience in different Railway and Transport companies. He was part of Track Engineer Department in ADIF Argentina and has 4 years experience as Senior Consultant in ACyA participating in large-scale projects. From 2021 he was the  Railway Track Coordinator for the Rail Baltic Project at IDOM in Spain.
He joined Global Rail Group as a Senior Consultant in May 2022.

Previous Experience

2021 – 2022:
Railway Track Coordinator in the Rail Baltic Project at IDOM
2020 – 2021:
Track Engineering Department at ADIF Argentina.
2017 – 2020:
Senior Consultant of large-scale projects at ACyA (Transport Engineerin Company)

Educational Background

Msc. Civil Engineering, Universidad Tecnologica Nacional (UTN)

Speaks

Spanish, English

Senior Consultant

Kathrin Gabert

Kathrin has 11 years of experience working on various projects in the fields of studies, mobility concepts, traffic models and guidance systems.
She studied Business Administration with focus on Transport/Logistics and Market Research at Vienna University of Economics and Business. 
She joined Global Rail Group in September 2021.

Previous Experience

2014-2021:
Consultant at Verkehrsplaner GmbH
2011-2013:
Junior Consultant at Traffix Verkehrsplanung GmbH

Educational Background

Magister of Business Administration from Vienna University of Economics

Speaks

German, English

Senior Consultant

Klaus Liebwald

Klaus has more than 25 years of professional experience in the areas of maintenance and development of railroad infrastructure. His focus of the last years was international project management, asset management, lecturer/trainer, support and preparation of certifications.
He joined Global Rail Group in 2023.

Senior Consultant

Raphael Marotta

More than 12 years of experience within Heavy Haul Railways, covering positions such as Railway Expert and Senior Engineer being responsible for vehicle/track interaction, track geometry monitoring as well as maintenance strategy. He also gives lectures at IPOG and is a researcher at Instituto Militar de Engenharia.  Raphael joined Global Rail Group in 2023.

Senior Consultant

Beatriz Alonso Vázquez

Beatriz has more than 15 years of experience in Railway Systems, from engineering design to site works.

She worked as Electrification Design manager during construction works in several Spanish High-Speed lines. The last 6 years she has been working in High Speed 2 in Birmingham (UK) as Overhead Contact System Engineer.

Beatriz has an M.Sc. in Industrial Engineering from Universidad Pontificia de Comillas (ICAI).

Work Experience

2021-2023:
Senior OCS Engineer at HS2 ltd.
2018-2021:
Power and M&E Engineering Manager at Sener UK, Utilities Project Manager at Sener UK
2005-2017:
Electrical Design Manager at Prointec S.A., Electrical and Signalling Manager at Prointec S.A., Assistant Project Manager at Prointec S.A.
2003-2005:
Logistics Engineer at El Corte Ingles S.A.

Education

MSc industrial Engineering; ICAI- Universidad Pontificia de Comillas

Speaks

Spanish, English

Senior Content Manager

Martin Murowski

Martin’s first contact with track construction machines was in 2009, when he was working for NEWAG in Oberhausen. After 9 years there and some experience abroad, he switched to Deutsche Plasser as project manager and estimator. Martin joined Global Rail Group in February 2022.

Senior Track Engineer

Brad Kerchof

Brad is currently working part-time for ARM/Global Rail Group with the emphasis on projects involving track maintenance and inspection and brings 42 years of work experience with two Class 1 railroads – Conrail and Norfolk Southern. His first 32 years were with Maintenance-of-Way, including assignments like Division Engineer in Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Birmingham, where he was responsible for track and bridge inspection, maintenance and development of capital programs. During his last 10 years with NS, he served as the Director of Research & Tests (track geometry testing, derailment investigation, wheel-rail performance research, mechanical and track failure analysis and materials testing). 
Since 2012 he has been an annual presenter at the Wheel-Rail Interface conference.  

Senior Rail Maintenance Specialist

Jack Lindquist

Jack Lindquist has a wealth of practical rail experience, spanning over 40 years. His work with ARM is primarily concerned with all quality issues related to rail profile grinding practices.
As a welder foreman, Jack was responsible for all aspects of project – scheduling, team training, quality control, troubleshooting and problem resolution, and contractor relations. In addition, his extensive background in heavy equipment operation provides the ARM team with a high level of expertise in operational safety of different types of large equipment.
ARM makes extensive use of his skills and experience as Senior Rail Maintenance Specialist. He is responsible for oversight of rail profile grinding operations, as well as implementing new wheel and rail profile maintenance and repair techniques incorporating the use of range vision (laser strobe and camera) optical measurement systems. 

Senior Welding Specialist

Allen Pierson

Allen has been a member of AWS for 45 years and a member of Arema Committee 4 for 40 years. He has Certified AWS railroader welding practices, is an AWS visual weld inspector, and works as  a Level 2 UT operator. For 40 years he worked on 3 railroads Penn Central Conrail Norfolk Southern. Allen is a welder instructor for ARM since 2014.

Senior Rail Maintenance Specialist

Jeff Schweisthal

Before joining ARM, Jeff worked for Loram Maintenance of Way Inc. for 15 years, operating and maintaining rail grinding equipment.  Since joining ARM in 2005, he has managed turnkey rail grinding programs on many transit systems including San Jose (VTA), San Diego (Trolley), Edmonton Transit, Dallas (Trinity Railway Express), Boston (MBTA), SCRRA/Metrolink, BART, and others.  His background in the operations and maintenance of rail grinding equipment enables him to determine the capabilities and assess the performance of various grinding units, and to effectively troubleshoot problems in the field.
He has an extensive knowledge of rail grinding pattern design, pattern application, grinding templates, optimized grinding speeds, and various QA/QC functions that impact grinding efficiency and performance.  He has served as a General Superintendent, Grind Superintendent, Maintenance Lead and Operator of Loram Grinding Machines – in addition to experience with Special Grinder Projects and Grinder Overhauls. 

Consultant

Gustavo Silva

Gustavo has 5 years of experience in the railway infrastructure sector. He worked on wheel-rail interface management projects and structural analysis of track at the railway consultancy company CH.Vidon, and was a traffic and maintenance planner for the Brazilian freight railway MRS Logistica. Gustavo joined Global Rail to develop a 2-year research project on wheel-rail contact KPI’s in partnership with Simon Fraser University, and has recently transitioned into a role as a consultant.

Previous Experience

2019-2020:
Project Assistant, CH.Vidon
2021-2022:
Traffic and Maintenance Planner, MRS Logistica
2022-2024:
Researcher, Simon Fraser University/Global Rail Group
2024-present:
Consultant, Global Rail Group

Educational Background

Master of Applied Sciences (MASc), Simon Fraser University, Vehicle-Track Interaction Research Group

Publications

˃ G. Dias-Silva, “Quantifying the relationships between rail profile indices and in-service wheel-rail contact conditions,” Simon Fraser University, Surrey, BC, Canada, 2024.
˃ T. Handal, S. Regehr, E. Magel, K. Oldknow, G. Dias-Silva, “Role of profile quality indices in rail profile optimization,” Proceedings of the 28th IAVSD Symposium on the Dynamics of Vehicles on Roads and on Tracks (IAVSD 2023), Ottawa, August 21-25, 2023.
˃ G. Dias Silva, K. Oldknow, S. Regehr, T. Handal, “Establishing correlations between rail profile quality indices and simulated contact conditions,” Proceedings of the 12th International Heavy Haul Association Conference (IHHA 2023), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 27-31 (2023).

Speaks

English
Portuguese
Spanish

Data Services Specialist

Casslynn Ennis

Casslynn has over 5 years experience in computer-aided engineering and mechanical design/maintenance. She graduated with a diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology in 2022. She joined  Global Rail Group/ARM in February 2021.

Previous Experience

2021-2022:

Summer Data Services Intern with Advanced Rail Management; 2022-present: Data Services Specialist with Advanced Rail Management /GRG

Educational Background

Mechanical Engineering Technology (2022) – Red River College

Speaks

English, French (minimal)

Senior Consultant

Andreas Trausmuth

Andreas has 12 years of experience and is an expert in the railway sector in research and self-employment. Prior to Global Rail, Andreas worked at AC2T GmbH as a key researcher for railway infrastructure and locomotives. Andreas has extensive experience in the fields of tribology, Wheel-Rail Interaction, welding, maintenance for infrastructure / railway vehicles and the construction and conversion of railway vehicles.

Previous Experience

Sep. 2002 – Jan. 2003:
Researcher at FoTec, Wr. Neustadt Austria

Feb. 2004 – May 2007:
Process engineer at Semperit Techn. Produkte GmbH, Wimpassing Austria

Dec. 2007 – Sep. 2012:
Research Associate, Montanuniversity of Leoben, Austria

Oct. 2012 – March 2024:
Research Assistant / project manager / key researcher at the company AC2T research GmbH, Wr. Neustadt Austria

Since 2024:
Consultant at Global Rail Consulting

Educational Background

˃ Ph.D. Doctoral studies of Mining and metallurgical Machinery, Montanuniversität Leoben Austria

˃ MSc Academic studies of Materials Science, Montanuniversität Leoben Austria

˃ MSc Academic studies of Mining and metallurgical Machinery, Montanuniversität Leoben Austria

˃ MSc Academic studies of Mechatronics / Microsystems technology, University of applied science for economics and technology Wiener Neustadt Austria

Projects

˃ Member of the STLE regarding CLS Certified Lubrication Specialist (6831246452 STLE)

˃ Project manager of In2Track 2016 to 2023 (laser cladding on sliding plates, rails and frogs)

˃ Project manager of FFG project VIF 2016 AUFAS, wheel-rail interaction analysis of the effect of vehicle loads on rail joints

˃ Project manager ÖBB wheel-rail interaction Creation of a rail relocation strategy

˃ Project manager of FFG project VIF 2019 3DVEWE, 3D measurement of track components for turnouts

˃ Key researcher of FFG project VIF 2019 SafeRail, evaluation procedure for rail head conditioning agents

˃ Project manager ÖBB Reduction of maintenance costs through cladding on switch frogs

Speaks

Deutsch 
English
Japanese (basic level)
Mandarin (basic level)

Consultant

Leo Besson Beaugeois

Léo joined the Vienna office in the Global Rail Group in 2024, after moving to Vienna from France earlier in the year. Completing his Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering and with experience abroad in different countries, such as Finland and China, Léo brings a new perspective to the Consulting team. 

Experience

2021-2023: Mechanical/Hardware Engineer at Wattsgood

2021: Project Engineer Intern at Resortecs

2019: Assistant Engineer Intern at Decathlon

Education

2016-2021: M.Sc. Mechanical Engineering – Compiegne University of Technology

Languages

English

French

German

Consultant

Pablo Merayo

Pablo has worked for 3 years developing functional, constructive and capacity railways projects at TRN Taryet. During his last years studying civil engineering, he used to work as an intern at Carandini, a firm specialized in lighting projects. He joined  Global Rail Group in April 2023.

Previous Experience

2020 – 2023:
Development of linear infrastructure projects, Data analysis, Field works, Tendering, among others at TRN Táryet
2018 – 2019:
Development of lighting projects (outdoor lighting and tunnels), Analysis of new optics for possible product developments at C. & G. Carandini

Educational Background

Msc. Civil Engineering (Urban transports), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Technische Universität München (TUM)

Speaks

Spanish, English

Data Engineer

Zsolt Hörcsik

Zsolt joined the Global Rail Group in January 2024 after working in the online marketing industry both independently and at a major European hosting provider. Previously he completed his studies in Economics at Queen Mary, University of London and worked on several startup projects. He brings experience in data engineering, web development and business intelligence.

Previous Experience

2022-2023:

Data Analyst at Herold

2018-2022:

Freelance web developer / data analyst

Educational Background

BSc Economics – Queen Mary, University of London

Speaks

English, German, Hungarian

Data Services Specialist

Henry Kweens

Henry has 20 years professional experience with proprietary rail recognition software and on-rail specialized data collection. He is responsible for training of  new team members and joined ARM/Global Rail Group in March 2003.

Data Services Specialist

Shane Kweens

Shane has been involved in data collection, data processing and analysis of various data types for the past 20 years with ARM/Global Rail Group. He uses this information to support railroad maintenance managers and internal grinding staff in  planning corrective and preventive rail maintenance.  He is also experienced in training internal and external clients on proprietary rail profile analysis software.  Shane holds a Diploma in Business Administration and Marketing. 

Editor

Alexandra Schöner

Alexandra has 15 years of experience as an editor and started in a manga publishing house. She has a  Master of Arts  (M.A.) degree in Japanese and Romance Studies from University of Heidelberg (Germany).
She joined the predecessor company of  Global Rail Group in 2018.

Educational Background

2009 – 2018:
Editor at TOKYOPOP (Manga Publishing House)
2006 – 2009:
Back-office assistant to the sales team DENTSPLY-Sirona (dental technology)

Awards

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Japanese and
Romance Studies (University of Heidelberg)

Speaks

German, French, English, Japanese, Spanish (a little)

Marketing/Distribution Lead

Sabine Braun

Sabine has over 30 years of experience in the marketing and publishing sector.
She has joined the predecessor company of Global Rail Group in 2017.

Previous Experience

Sabine has more than 30 years of experience in marketing, advertising, distribution etc. She was 14 years at DVV Media Group, a specialist publishing company, in marketing and distribution and 8 years at a bank institute in advertising and public relations as well as event organization. 

Speaks

German, English

Application & Infrastructure Administrator

David Pollak

David brings 4 years of experience working as sysadmin and service technician in multiple enviroments in his role as the IT-Administrator of Global Rail Group since April 2023.

Operations Specialist

Alex Rogers

Alex brings 6 years of experience across various sectors, including politics, technology, and luxury. Born in Sweden, with an American background, he decided to finish his Masters degree in International Relations & Business Management in Aberdeen, Scotland. Alex brings a global perspective, with a focus on structure and continuous development in the Operations team. He joined Global Rail Group in year 2023.

Management Assistant

Martina Rossegger

Martina has over 10 years of experience in management assistant functions in different companies. She worked at Plasser Ibérica for 7 years as management assistant and joined Global Rail Group in 2021.

Office Assistant

Elisabeth Papathanassopoulou

Elisabeth has over 17 years of professional experience in diverse business sectors. She joined Global Rail Group in April 2022.

Business Operations Supervisor

Julie Anjos

Julie joined Global Rail Group in January 2024. She has two post graduate diplomas, one in Business Administration and the second one from Sheridan College for Business Analysis and Process Management. She has 11 years experience in different industries like Consulting, Health Care, Construction, Software Development and Finance, having worked in companies like Ernest & Young before deciding to move to Canada.

Field Specialist

Steve Gainey

Steve has over 10 years experience in the rail industry that ranges from rail car mechanic to frog/track welding and repair. Between 2007-2011 he was the Field Specialist and Road Foreman at G.A.T.X. and then at Bankhead/Holland LP (2011-2018) as Frog welding assist/welding foreman.
He joined Global Rail Group in 2021 as the  Field Specialist. 

Previous Experience

2007-2011:

G.A.T.X Rail: Field Specialist
2011-2018:
Bankhead/Holland Lp: welding foreman 

Speaks

English

Administrative Assistant

Carolina Vieira

Carolina has been working in administration for over 5 years. She has previously worked as a foreign trade assistant and thereafter in tourism and education. Carolina is an administrative assistant at Global Rail North America alongside her studies in Business Management.

Trainee

Igor Lukic

Igor, after completing his degree at the University of Traffic in Doboj, Bosnia and Herzegovina, joined Global Rail Group in February 2023 as a trainee for Technical Services.

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree in traffic engineering on Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering Doboj 

Speaks

Serbian, English, German (learning)

Trainer

Amer Mujkić

Amer has extensive experience in the railway sector, committed to continuous improvement, training and development. Amer possesses excellent language skills and uses these for effective communication and collaboration in an international environment. Amer’s dedication is aligned to that of Global Rail’s, which is to advance the railway systems, bringing innovative solutions and expertise to all aspects of railway transportation. Amer joined Global Rail Group in April 2024. 

2023-2024: Traffic Engineer, Internship Zeljeznice Republike Srpske A.D. DOBOJ

2024-Current: Trainer Global Rail Group 

Educational Background

Railway Transport Engineering, BSc., University of East Sarajevo. Completed 2022.

Railway Transport Engineering, MSc, University of East Sarajevo. Ongoing. 

Speaks

Bosnian, German, English

Trainer

Snježana Nedić

Snježana has a Bachelor’s degree in Traffic Engineering on Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering in Doboj. She joined Global Rail Group in February 2023.

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree in traffic engineering on Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering Doboj 

Speaks

Serbian, English, German

Trainee

Nemanja Nešić

Nemanja is a trained mechanical technician from Doboj, Bosnia and Herzegovina. After completing his education, he has been in the Serbian military, been self-employed in the Netherlands, and have been a technical supervisor for a construction company. He joined Global Rail BiH in September 2023. 

Previous Experience

2021 – 2023:
Technical leader and manager of production in a construction company in Doboj, Serbia.

Speaks

Serbian, English 

Hydraulics Trainer

Jürgen Poscher

Jürgen is a state-certified mechanical engineering technician and HWK business economist with more than 30 years of experience in the field of hydraulic drive and control technology, as well as many years as a hydraulics trainer. He joined Global Rail Group in March 2020.

Junior Trainer & Content Creator

Tyler Trahan

Tyler has 14 years of experience split between railroad operations and museum education. He started at the bottom of both fields and worked his way up to leadership positions including lead educator, passenger train conductor, and train dispatcher. Tyler is a contributor to Trains Magazine and a developer of the open-source video game OpenTTD.

Assistant to Training Area

Christina Lyons

Christina has 7 years of experience as a management assistant in business and banking and 15 years of experience teaching in the U.S. She taught English Education at Austin Peay State University, Tennessee, and at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Illinois. Christina received her PhD in English from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, FTSK Germersheim in 2003, her Master of Arts in Education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL, U.S. in 2007, and her Master of Arts in Translation from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, FTSK Germersheim in 1998.
She joined Global Rail Group in April 2021 as an Assistant to Training Area.

Trainee

Jessika Röhl

Jessika is studying Media Design at the International University of Applied Sciences in Cologne, while she works in the field of content creation for Global Rail Academy.
She joined Global Rail Group in October 2022.

Educational Background

Since 2022: Dual student in media design, working as a trainee in content creation at the Global Rail Academy and as a student at the International University of applied Sciences.

Speaks

German, English

CEO

Harald Eller

Harald co-founded Global Rail Group in 2021 as the CEO after being part of Senior Management in the Plasser & Theurer Group for 25 years.
He worked in senior management positions in the railway industry for nearly 30 years, shaping the companies profiles, actively designing strategies, and creating strong international teams. His education in finance with early steps in international auditing and consulting, combined with his long-lasting  career in a high-tech global environment, allows Harald to lead the challenge of creating the first ever knowledge provider group of companies for railway superstructure (Global Rail Group).
During his career he has founded 3 start-ups, taught Managing Accounting as an associated professor at the Instituto de Empresa, been member of numerous Boards of Directors at Plasser & Theurer Group and in his spare time supports NGOs for  kids and women health and education.

COO

Gabrielle Costigan

Gabrielle brings 20 years of experience to Global Rail in a range of different industries such as Manufacturing, Production and Technology. She started her career in 1999 with a  global, international leader in consultancy company with headquarters in the United Sates.
Between 2007-2018, she then spent 10 years with an oil and gas super major, where she held numerous leadership positions in  Austria and the Middle East.
In 2018, she was the Managing Director of the first innovation hub in Vienna, Austria (weXelerate) which opened its doors in late 2017. Gabrielle joined Global Rail Group as the COO in 2021.

Chief Relationship Officer, ARM

Gordon Bachinsky

Mr. Bachinsky has been the President of Advanced Rail Management since 1990. Gordon is skilled at the management of employees and the supervision of large projects and contracts. A recognized leader in the field of rail grinding strategies and the field of wheel/rail interaction, Gordon is called upon to help direct an industry in search of practical long-term solutions on the cutting edge of technology and research.

Mr. Bachinsky brings more than 45 years of railway and rail transit experience to the ARM team. Much of his experience relates to the management of rail grinding programs and overall optimization of the wheel/rail interface. Having worked with many railways and rail transit systems in North America, Mr. Bachinsky has first-hand knowledge of how to design and implement an effective turnkey vehicle/track interaction strategy.

Head of IT and Public Relations

Florian Polterauer

Florian brings more than 12 years experience as Business Development Manager at Plasser & Theurer and joined Global Rail Group in July 2021 right at the conception of the company.

Head of Finance

Viktoria Salzbrunn

Viktoria has over 15 years of experience in  accounting and finance.
She has joined Global Rail Group in September 2022.

Head of Operations

Doris Wolfesberger

Doris has 13 years of experience in Banking and Consulting industry. She holds a Master’s in Finance, Accounting & Taxation.  From her various roles as subject-matter expert, project and team lead, she brings a lot of knowledge to the general management and operations topics.
She joined Global Rail Group in May 2022 as Head of Operations.

Head of Communications & Marketing

Meenakshi Bhattacharya

Meenakshi has over 11 years of experience in Brand Communication and Marketing. With a Masters in Advertising & Brand Communication and an international, multicultural background, she brings a global and adaptive perspective to the Communications team. She joined Global Rail Group in 2022.

Application & Infrastructure Administrator

David Pollak

David brings 4 years of experience working as sysadmin and service technician in multiple enviroments in his role as the IT-Administrator of Global Rail Group since April 2023.

Management Assistant

Martina Rossegger

Martina has over 10 years of experience in management assistant functions in different companies. She worked at Plasser Ibérica for 7 years as management assistant and joined Global Rail Group in 2021.

Office Assistant

Elisabeth Papathanassopoulou

Elisabeth has over 17 years of professional experience in diverse business sectors. She joined Global Rail Group in April 2022.

Operations Specialist

Alex Rogers

Alex brings 6 years of experience across various sectors, including politics, technology, and luxury. Born in Sweden, with an American background, he decided to finish his Masters degree in International Relations & Business Management in Aberdeen, Scotland. Alex brings a global perspective, with a focus on structure and continuous development in the Operations team. He joined Global Rail Group in year 2023.

Business Operations Supervisor

Julie Anjos

Julie joined Global Rail Group in January 2024. She has two post graduate diplomas, one in Business Administration and the second one from Sheridan College for Business Analysis and Process Management. She has 11 years experience in different industries like Consulting, Health Care, Construction, Software Development and Finance, having worked in companies like Ernest & Young before deciding to move to Canada.

Administrative Assistant

Carolina Vieira

Carolina has been working in administration for over 5 years. She has previously worked as a foreign trade assistant and thereafter in tourism and education. Carolina is an administrative assistant at Global Rail North America alongside her studies in Business Management.

Chief Technical Business Development Officer, Global Rail North America

Adam Sohasky

Adam has more than 14 years’ experience in Railway Track Management. Adam Joined Global Rail in September of 2023 as a Senior Technical & Business Development Officer. Adam Started his career in the Rail Industry in the Design & Construction department at CN Rail where he led the design, development, and implementation of capacity upgrades across CN’s network as well business development of Crude Oil Loop Train facilities, coal terminals and Frac Sand terminals. From there Adam moved onto track maintenance becoming a front-line supervisor responsible for the safe, efficient operation & maintenance of 300 miles of track; leading 50+ unionized employees. After that, Adam assumed the role of running CN’s Network Engineering Operations. Managing Rail Grinding & Milling, Ultrasonic Inspection, Lubrication & Welding across CN’s 19,000-mile track network.

Previous Experience

2022 – 2023:
Canadian National Railway Company – Senior Manager Rail & Testing
2017 – 2022:
Canadian National Railway Company – Manager Rail & Testing
2013 – 2017:
Canadian National Railway Company – Field Engineer April
2009 – 2012:
Canadian National Railway Company – Civil Engineering

Educational Background

Bachelor of Science – BS Civil Engineering Michigan Technological University

Publications

˃ Laboratory Evaluation of Gage Face Lubricants Using Disc-on-Disc Testing Mark D. Richards, PhD, EVRAZ NA and Adam Sohasky, Canadian National Railroad

Industry Positions & Memberships

˃ University lecturer for “Railway Maintenance” (Vienna University of Technology);

˃ University lecturer for “Life cycle management and predictive maintenance” (St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences)

˃ AREMA Committee 4 Subcommittee 4

˃ Friction Management, 8

˃ Nondestructive Testing of Rail & 9

˃ Railway, Grinding & Lubrication Michigan Technological University Rail Transportation Advisory Board, Vice Chair

Speaks

English, German

Project Consultant

Eric Magel

A specialist in the vehicle/track interaction, Eric researches, teaches and consults on problems of wear, fatigue, corrugation, noise, ride quality and derailment on heavy haul, passenger and light rail systems. With over 30 years experience in the rail industry, he has consulted on various wheel/rail problems for nearly sixty passenger and freight-systems on every continent except Antarctica. His current work is focused on wheel-rail performance, rail grinding and noise on transit systems.

Previous Experience

1993-2023:
Research Officer, National Research Council Canada
2022-2023:
Manager R&D for ENSCO, Inc. at the Transportation Technology Center (Pueblo Colorado)
2010-2012:
Executive Director, Canadian Hydraulics Center, NRC (Ottawa)
2006-2008:
Director – Rail Division, Center for Surface Transportation Technology, NRC

Educational Background

Masters of Applied Science (University of British Columbia)

Registered Professional Engineer, British Columbia, Canada

Publications

Authored over 80 publications and 120 technical reports, including:

˃ The application of contact mechanics to rail profile design and rail grinding, Wear 2002

˃ Rolling contact fatigue, wear and broken rail derailments, Wear 2016

˃ Rolling contact fatigue: a comprehensive review, FRA report 2011

˃ M.A.Sc. Thesis: Experimental and theoretical studies of the wear of heat exchanger tubes, University of British Columbia, April 1990.”

Industry Positions & Memberships

˃ Founder and member, International Collaborative Research Initiative (ICRI) on RCF and Wear of Rail/Wheel Systems

Speaks

English

Senior Manager

Andreas Oberhauser

Andreas has more than 14 years of experience as an expert in Urban Rail Management and is an active member of the railway community in Austria, where he is well-known as an lecturer and researcher at several universities.

Previous Experience

2018 – 2021:
Head of Department Track Infrastructure at Wiener Linien
2011 – 2018:
Head of Staff Unit Infrastructure Inspection at Wiener Linien
2007 – 2011:
Maintenance Process Manager Track at Wiener Linien
2003 – 2007:
Research Fellow at Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien)

Educational Background

Dr. Techn. (Ph.D.) in Civil Engineering; TU Wien

Publications

˃ Monitoring, understanding and maintenance of rail defects on a European metro system (Stuart L Grassie, Andreas Oberhauser, Michael Ostermann, Bernhard Hinterndorfer, Werner Wehr, Philip Ali)

˃ 12th International Conference on Contact Mechanics and Wear of Rail/Wheel Systems (CM2022), Melbourne, Australia, 4-7 September, 2022

˃ Enhance the Environmental Performance of Railway Infrastructure, Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences (M. Fracchia, R. Carlson, P. Steckler, A. Oberhauser, N. Leitao)

Industry Positions & Memberships

˃ University lecturer for “Railway Maintenance” (Vienna University of Technology);

˃ University lecturer for “Life cycle management and predictive maintenance” (St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences)

˃ CEN TC 256 SC1 WG18 DG15 Urban Rail Switches and Crossings

˃ CEN/CENELEC – Member of the Urban Rail Survey Group within the mandate M/486 of the European Commission

˃ Forschungsgesellschaft Straße – Schiene – Verkehr (FSV): Work Group Leader AA EB13 “Regional Railways”

Awards

˃ Federal Transport Award 2008 (“Staatspreis Verkehr 2008“) for Research project “Energy systems for TunnelThermics®” for TU Wien and Wiener LinienProfessor

˃ Julius Kar-Award for excellent studies at BOKU Vienna

Speaks

German, English, Italian

Lead Technology Coordinator

Teever Handal

Teever has more than 38 years working experience in the rail industry. He spent 11 years with the Association of American Railroads at the Transportation Test Center helping develop vehicle dynamic simulation software, performing vehicle/track interaction and wheel/rail interaction research. He worked for a Progressive Rail Technologies providing truck performance and wheel impact detectors, and consulting on derailment analysis and vehicle/track interaction studies. Since 2014 Teever has been working for ARM in data analysis, as a wheel/rail interaction specialist, and technical expert in vehicle/track interaction. During his career he has provided assistance to clients in North America, Europe, Australia, Brazil, and India.

Manager

Elena Crespo Domingo

Elena has more than 6 years experience in the railway infrastructure sector, including different roles ranging from new line design consultancy in her previous experience at Plasser & Theurer, where she was part of the Technology Center Purkersdorf and was involved in the development of smart systems for the evaluation of the infrastructure condition.
She has an M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) and did part of her studies in RWTH Aachen University.
Elena joined Global Rail Group in September 2021 and worked on projects for the optimization and digitalization of railway superstructure asset management, with a strong focus on track geometry and ballast bed condition.

Previous Experience

2021 – 2022:
Senior Consultant at Global Rail Consulting
2018 – 2021:
Innovation Project Engineer Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen G.m.b.H.
2017 – 2018:
Junior Signalling Project Engineer at INECO

Educational Background

MSc Mechanical Engineering
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)

Speaks

English, Spanish, German

Manager - Data Services

Sean Regehr

Sean has 10 years of railroad experience. He holds a degree in Civil Engineering and an M.Sc. in Transportation Engineering from the University of Manitoba, and is an active member of AREMA Committee 2.
He joined ARM/Global Rail Group in 2016.

Senior Consultant

Klaus Liebwald

Klaus has more than 25 years of professional experience in the areas of maintenance and development of railroad infrastructure. His focus of the last years was international project management, asset management, lecturer/trainer, support and preparation of certifications.
He joined Global Rail Group in 2023.

Senior Consultant

Roger Campbell

Roger has more than 8 years of experience in different Railway and Transport companies. He was part of Track Engineer Department in ADIF Argentina and has 4 years experience as Senior Consultant in ACyA participating in large-scale projects. From 2021 he was the  Railway Track Coordinator for the Rail Baltic Project at IDOM in Spain.
He joined Global Rail Group as a Senior Consultant in May 2022.

Previous Experience

2021 – 2022:
Railway Track Coordinator in the Rail Baltic Project at IDOM
2020 – 2021:
Track Engineering Department at ADIF Argentina.
2017 – 2020:
Senior Consultant of large-scale projects at ACyA (Transport Engineerin Company)

Educational Background

Msc. Civil Engineering, Universidad Tecnologica Nacional (UTN)

Speaks

Spanish, English

Senior Consultant

Kathrin Gabert

Kathrin has 11 years of experience working on various projects in the fields of studies, mobility concepts, traffic models and guidance systems.
She studied Business Administration with focus on Transport/Logistics and Market Research at Vienna University of Economics and Business. 
She joined Global Rail Group in September 2021.

Previous Experience

2014-2021:
Consultant at Verkehrsplaner GmbH
2011-2013:
Junior Consultant at Traffix Verkehrsplanung GmbH

Educational Background

Magister of Business Administration from Vienna University of Economics

Speaks

German, English

Senior Consultant

Raphael Marotta

More than 12 years of experience within Heavy Haul Railways, covering positions such as Railway Expert and Senior Engineer being responsible for vehicle/track interaction, track geometry monitoring as well as maintenance strategy. He also gives lectures at IPOG and is a researcher at Instituto Militar de Engenharia.  Raphael joined Global Rail Group in 2023.

Consultant

Pablo Merayo

Pablo has worked for 3 years developing functional, constructive and capacity railways projects at TRN Taryet. During his last years studying civil engineering, he used to work as an intern at Carandini, a firm specialized in lighting projects. He joined  Global Rail Group in April 2023.

Previous Experience

2020 – 2023:
Development of linear infrastructure projects, Data analysis, Field works, Tendering, among others at TRN Táryet
2018 – 2019:
Development of lighting projects (outdoor lighting and tunnels), Analysis of new optics for possible product developments at C. & G. Carandini

Educational Background

Msc. Civil Engineering (Urban transports), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Technische Universität München (TUM)

Speaks

Spanish, English

Senior Consultant

Beatriz Alonso Vázquez

Beatriz has more than 15 years of experience in Railway Systems, from engineering design to site works.

She worked as Electrification Design manager during construction works in several Spanish High-Speed lines. The last 6 years she has been working in High Speed 2 in Birmingham (UK) as Overhead Contact System Engineer.

Beatriz has an M.Sc. in Industrial Engineering from Universidad Pontificia de Comillas (ICAI).

Work Experience

2021-2023:
Senior OCS Engineer at HS2 ltd.
2018-2021:
Power and M&E Engineering Manager at Sener UK, Utilities Project Manager at Sener UK
2005-2017:
Electrical Design Manager at Prointec S.A., Electrical and Signalling Manager at Prointec S.A., Assistant Project Manager at Prointec S.A.
2003-2005:
Logistics Engineer at El Corte Ingles S.A.

Education

MSc industrial Engineering; ICAI- Universidad Pontificia de Comillas

Speaks

Spanish, English

Senior Track Engineer

Brad Kerchof

Brad is currently working part-time for ARM/Global Rail Group with the emphasis on projects involving track maintenance and inspection and brings 42 years of work experience with two Class 1 railroads – Conrail and Norfolk Southern. His first 32 years were with Maintenance-of-Way, including assignments like Division Engineer in Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Birmingham, where he was responsible for track and bridge inspection, maintenance and development of capital programs. During his last 10 years with NS, he served as the Director of Research & Tests (track geometry testing, derailment investigation, wheel-rail performance research, mechanical and track failure analysis and materials testing). 
Since 2012 he has been an annual presenter at the Wheel-Rail Interface conference.  

Senior Rail Maintenance Specialist

Jack Lindquist

Jack Lindquist has a wealth of practical rail experience, spanning over 40 years. His work with ARM is primarily concerned with all quality issues related to rail profile grinding practices.
As a welder foreman, Jack was responsible for all aspects of project – scheduling, team training, quality control, troubleshooting and problem resolution, and contractor relations. In addition, his extensive background in heavy equipment operation provides the ARM team with a high level of expertise in operational safety of different types of large equipment.
ARM makes extensive use of his skills and experience as Senior Rail Maintenance Specialist. He is responsible for oversight of rail profile grinding operations, as well as implementing new wheel and rail profile maintenance and repair techniques incorporating the use of range vision (laser strobe and camera) optical measurement systems. 

Senior Welding Specialist

Allen Pierson

Allen has been a member of AWS for 45 years and a member of Arema Committee 4 for 40 years. He has Certified AWS railroader welding practices, is an AWS visual weld inspector, and works as  a Level 2 UT operator. For 40 years he worked on 3 railroads Penn Central Conrail Norfolk Southern. Allen is a welder instructor for ARM since 2014.

Senior Rail Maintenance Specialist

Jeff Schweisthal

Before joining ARM, Jeff worked for Loram Maintenance of Way Inc. for 15 years, operating and maintaining rail grinding equipment.  Since joining ARM in 2005, he has managed turnkey rail grinding programs on many transit systems including San Jose (VTA), San Diego (Trolley), Edmonton Transit, Dallas (Trinity Railway Express), Boston (MBTA), SCRRA/Metrolink, BART, and others.  His background in the operations and maintenance of rail grinding equipment enables him to determine the capabilities and assess the performance of various grinding units, and to effectively troubleshoot problems in the field.
He has an extensive knowledge of rail grinding pattern design, pattern application, grinding templates, optimized grinding speeds, and various QA/QC functions that impact grinding efficiency and performance.  He has served as a General Superintendent, Grind Superintendent, Maintenance Lead and Operator of Loram Grinding Machines – in addition to experience with Special Grinder Projects and Grinder Overhauls. 

Data Services Specialist

Casslynn Ennis

Casslynn has over 5 years experience in computer-aided engineering and mechanical design/maintenance. She graduated with a diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology in 2022. She joined  Global Rail Group/ARM in February 2021.

Previous Experience

2021-2022:

Summer Data Services Intern with Advanced Rail Management; 2022-present: Data Services Specialist with Advanced Rail Management /GRG

Educational Background

Mechanical Engineering Technology (2022) – Red River College

Speaks

English, French (minimal)

Data Services Specialist

Henry Kweens

Henry has 20 years professional experience with proprietary rail recognition software and on-rail specialized data collection. He is responsible for training of  new team members and joined ARM/Global Rail Group in March 2003.

Data Services Specialist

Shane Kweens

Shane has been involved in data collection, data processing and analysis of various data types for the past 20 years with ARM/Global Rail Group. He uses this information to support railroad maintenance managers and internal grinding staff in  planning corrective and preventive rail maintenance.  He is also experienced in training internal and external clients on proprietary rail profile analysis software.  Shane holds a Diploma in Business Administration and Marketing. 

Field Specialist

Steve Gainey

Steve has over 10 years experience in the rail industry that ranges from rail car mechanic to frog/track welding and repair. Between 2007-2011 he was the Field Specialist and Road Foreman at G.A.T.X. and then at Bankhead/Holland LP (2011-2018) as Frog welding assist/welding foreman.
He joined Global Rail Group in 2021 as the  Field Specialist. 

Previous Experience

2007-2011:

G.A.T.X Rail: Field Specialist
2011-2018:
Bankhead/Holland Lp: welding foreman 

Speaks

English

Senior Consultant

Andreas Trausmuth

Andreas has 12 years of experience and is an expert in the railway sector in research and self-employment. Prior to Global Rail, Andreas worked at AC2T GmbH as a key researcher for railway infrastructure and locomotives. Andreas has extensive experience in the fields of tribology, Wheel-Rail Interaction, welding, maintenance for infrastructure / railway vehicles and the construction and conversion of railway vehicles.

Previous Experience

Sep. 2002 – Jan. 2003:
Researcher at FoTec, Wr. Neustadt Austria

Feb. 2004 – May 2007:
Process engineer at Semperit Techn. Produkte GmbH, Wimpassing Austria

Dec. 2007 – Sep. 2012:
Research Associate, Montanuniversity of Leoben, Austria

Oct. 2012 – March 2024:
Research Assistant / project manager / key researcher at the company AC2T research GmbH, Wr. Neustadt Austria

Since 2024:
Consultant at Global Rail Consulting

Educational Background

˃ Ph.D. Doctoral studies of Mining and metallurgical Machinery, Montanuniversität Leoben Austria

˃ MSc Academic studies of Materials Science, Montanuniversität Leoben Austria

˃ MSc Academic studies of Mining and metallurgical Machinery, Montanuniversität Leoben Austria

˃ MSc Academic studies of Mechatronics / Microsystems technology, University of applied science for economics and technology Wiener Neustadt Austria

Projects

˃ Member of the STLE regarding CLS Certified Lubrication Specialist (6831246452 STLE)

˃ Project manager of In2Track 2016 to 2023 (laser cladding on sliding plates, rails and frogs)

˃ Project manager of FFG project VIF 2016 AUFAS, wheel-rail interaction analysis of the effect of vehicle loads on rail joints

˃ Project manager ÖBB wheel-rail interaction Creation of a rail relocation strategy

˃ Project manager of FFG project VIF 2019 3DVEWE, 3D measurement of track components for turnouts

˃ Key researcher of FFG project VIF 2019 SafeRail, evaluation procedure for rail head conditioning agents

˃ Project manager ÖBB Reduction of maintenance costs through cladding on switch frogs

Speaks

Deutsch 
English
Japanese (basic level)
Mandarin (basic level)

Data Engineer

Zsolt Hörcsik

Zsolt joined the Global Rail Group in January 2024 after working in the online marketing industry both independently and at a major European hosting provider. Previously he completed his studies in Economics at Queen Mary, University of London and worked on several startup projects. He brings experience in data engineering, web development and business intelligence.

Previous Experience

2022-2023:

Data Analyst at Herold

2018-2022:

Freelance web developer / data analyst

Educational Background

BSc Economics – Queen Mary, University of London

Speaks

English, German, Hungarian

Consultant

Gustavo Silva

Gustavo has 5 years of experience in the railway infrastructure sector. He worked on wheel-rail interface management projects and structural analysis of track at the railway consultancy company CH.Vidon, and was a traffic and maintenance planner for the Brazilian freight railway MRS Logistica. Gustavo joined Global Rail to develop a 2-year research project on wheel-rail contact KPI’s in partnership with Simon Fraser University, and has recently transitioned into a role as a consultant.

Previous Experience

2019-2020:
Project Assistant, CH.Vidon
2021-2022:
Traffic and Maintenance Planner, MRS Logistica
2022-2024:
Researcher, Simon Fraser University/Global Rail Group
2024-present:
Consultant, Global Rail Group

Educational Background

Master of Applied Sciences (MASc), Simon Fraser University, Vehicle-Track Interaction Research Group

Publications

˃ G. Dias-Silva, “Quantifying the relationships between rail profile indices and in-service wheel-rail contact conditions,” Simon Fraser University, Surrey, BC, Canada, 2024.
˃ T. Handal, S. Regehr, E. Magel, K. Oldknow, G. Dias-Silva, “Role of profile quality indices in rail profile optimization,” Proceedings of the 28th IAVSD Symposium on the Dynamics of Vehicles on Roads and on Tracks (IAVSD 2023), Ottawa, August 21-25, 2023.
˃ G. Dias Silva, K. Oldknow, S. Regehr, T. Handal, “Establishing correlations between rail profile quality indices and simulated contact conditions,” Proceedings of the 12th International Heavy Haul Association Conference (IHHA 2023), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 27-31 (2023).

Speaks

English
Portuguese
Spanish

Consultant

Leo Besson Beaugeois

Léo joined the Vienna office in the Global Rail Group in 2024, after moving to Vienna from France earlier in the year. Completing his Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering and with experience abroad in different countries, such as Finland and China, Léo brings a new perspective to the Consulting team. 

Experience

2021-2023: Mechanical/Hardware Engineer at Wattsgood

2021: Project Engineer Intern at Resortecs

2019: Assistant Engineer Intern at Decathlon

Education

2016-2021: M.Sc. Mechanical Engineering – Compiegne University of Technology

Languages

English

French

German

Project Manager

Geoff Risi

Geoff is a skilled operations manager and sales trainer with experience in business development across many industries such as telecom, computers, and light machinery. In 2015, Geoff joined the railway industry with CNR where he worked as a conductor/locomotive operator, machine supervisor, fire prevention specialist and led many projects in Rail Grinding, Ultrasonic Inspection, and Welding. There he worked as an engineering technical officer for CN Rail’s Network Engineering Operations department until he joined the ARM/GRNA team as project manager in April 2024.

Previous Experience

2015 – 2024: Engineering Technical Officer at CN Rail specializing in Rail Grinding,

2014-2014 Project manager LEDCOR group/Telus Mobility

2009-2013 General Manager Springmasters Canada specializing in Sales Training 

Educational Background

St Mary’s College Diploma

Speaks

English

Editor

Alexandra Schöner

Alexandra has 15 years of experience as an editor and started in a manga publishing house. She has a  Master of Arts  (M.A.) degree in Japanese and Romance Studies from University of Heidelberg (Germany).
She joined the predecessor company of  Global Rail Group in 2018.

Educational Background

2009 – 2018:
Editor at TOKYOPOP (Manga Publishing House)
2006 – 2009:
Back-office assistant to the sales team DENTSPLY-Sirona (dental technology)

Awards

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Japanese and
Romance Studies (University of Heidelberg)

Speaks

German, French, English, Japanese, Spanish (a little)

Marketing/Distribution Lead

Sabine Braun

Sabine has over 30 years of experience in the marketing and publishing sector.
She has joined the predecessor company of Global Rail Group in 2017.

Previous Experience

Sabine has more than 30 years of experience in marketing, advertising, distribution etc. She was 14 years at DVV Media Group, a specialist publishing company, in marketing and distribution and 8 years at a bank institute in advertising and public relations as well as event organization. 

Speaks

German, English

Global Head of Academy and Training

André Büttner

 André has 20 years of experience in Training and Coaching, including 7 years of managing training academies for various automotive clients. He joined Global Rail, in Leverkusen, Germany, in October as the Global Head of Academy & Training. 

Previous Experience

2018 – 2024: Manager Learning & Development at MSX International

2016-2018 Sales Curriculum Manager at Raytheon Professional Services GmbH

2012-2016 Commercial Training EMEA at Hyster-Yale Group

Educational Background

Business Administration (Diploma)

Speaks

German, English, Spanish

Head of Academy (Europe)

Frank Buchmann

Frank has more than 22 years of experience in the railway infrastructure sector and has held various positions, including Interoparability Expert and leadership roles. Frank joint Global Rail Group in 2023 as Senior Expert of Global Certifications and Regulations.

Previous Experience

2020 – 2023:
Head of Department “Train running simulation and trafficability studies” at Deutsche Bahn, DB Netz AG
2011 – 2020:
Head of Department “Running Dynamics/Tonnage Rating Calculation” at Deutsche Bahn, DB Netz AG
2010 – 2017:
CER Speaker for TSI Infrastructure, CER (Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies)
2007 – 2011: Interoperability Expert at Deutsche Bahn, DB Netz AG

2004 – 2005:
Supervisor Installation, Taiwan Shinkansen Trackwork Joint Venture (TSTJV) on behalf of Deutsche Bahn AG and Pfleiderer Track Systems (today RAIL.ONE GmbH)
2002 – 2006:
Consulting Engineer Track and Rules at Deutsche Bahn, DB Systemtechnik GmbH
2001 – 2002:
Project-Engineer at Spiekermann GmbH Consulting Engineers

Educational Background

Dresden University of Technology
Dipl.-Bauing. (TU), Civil Engineering

Publications

˃ Bahnwesen, 6. Auflage (Kapitel 3 Trassierungselemente)Bahnwesen, 6. Auflage (Kapitel 3 Trassierungselemente), Werner Verlag, 2011

˃ Das Infrastrukturregister der DB AG, EI – DER EISENBAHNINGENIEUR | Ausgabe 05/2009, DVV Media Group GmbH

˃ Grenzlastberechnung bei der DB Netz AG, EI – DER EISENBAHNINGENIEUR | Ausgabe 04/2018, DVV Media Group GmbH

˃ GretA: Der GrenzlastAnzeiger der DB Netz AG, Deine Bahn 10/2020, Bahn Fachverlag GmbH Handbuch

˃ Das System Bahn, 3. Auflage (Kapitel 7.2 – Fahrdynamik der Zugfahrt), PMC Media House GmbH, 2021

Speaks

German
English

Head of Academy North America

Michael Prock

Michael brings extensive industry experience and a proven track record in leadership roles across the rail and commercial construction sectors. With over a decade of experience in senior positions, including roles as Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at SABATCO and Director of Grinding Systems at Loram, he has a reputation for developing high-performing teams and leading organizations through transformational growth. Michael joined Global Rail Group as Head of Academy – North America, in September 2024.

Previous Experience

2020 – 2023: Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at SABATCO, U.A.E.

2018-2019 Director, Grinding Systems & Services at LORAM U.K. LTD. Derby, U.K.

2009-2018 Manager, Rail Grinding; Manager, Specialty Rail Grinding; Machine Operator – General Superintendent at Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc, Hamel, MN (U.S.)

Educational Background

Mathematics and Computer Science, B.S. (Honours), University of Central Missouri

Speaks

English, conversational Spanish, basic modern Arabic

Senior Training Manager

John Schaefer

John brings over 35 years of combined experience in the areas of Railroad Technologies, Industrial Maintenance, Instructional. He is retired from the US Army and had worked as an Automotive Manufacturing Engineer for IMS Gear and as a Plasser American Field Service Representative. He currently holds a Master of Project Management and a B.S. in Technical Management and is an active member of AREMA Committee 27. John joined Global Rail Group in 2019.

Previous Experience

2014-2019: 
Manufacturing Engineer for IMS Gear USA
2008-2014:
Field Service Rep for Plasser American, specializing in Transit Rail
1985-2007:
US Army: Field Artillery, 18th Airborne, Operations and Training

Educational Background

Master of Project Management, Keller Graduate School of Management (DeVry University)

Industry Positions & Memberships

˃ Board member: Arts Alive Council,  City of Chesapeake

˃ AREMA Committee 27: Maintenance of Way Work Equipment

Speaks

English

Senior Content Manager

Martin Murowski

Martin’s first contact with track construction machines was in 2009, when he was working for NEWAG in Oberhausen. After 9 years there and some experience abroad, he switched to Deutsche Plasser as project manager and estimator. Martin joined Global Rail Group in February 2022.

Hydraulics Trainer

Jürgen Poscher

Jürgen is a state-certified mechanical engineering technician and HWK business economist with more than 30 years of experience in the field of hydraulic drive and control technology, as well as many years as a hydraulics trainer. He joined Global Rail Group in March 2020.

Junior Trainer & Content Creator

Tyler Trahan

Tyler has 14 years of experience split between railroad operations and museum education. He started at the bottom of both fields and worked his way up to leadership positions including lead educator, passenger train conductor, and train dispatcher. Tyler is a contributor to Trains Magazine and a developer of the open-source video game OpenTTD.

Assistant to Training Area

Christina Lyons

Christina has 7 years of experience as a management assistant in business and banking and 15 years of experience teaching in the U.S. She taught English Education at Austin Peay State University, Tennessee, and at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Illinois. Christina received her PhD in English from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, FTSK Germersheim in 2003, her Master of Arts in Education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL, U.S. in 2007, and her Master of Arts in Translation from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, FTSK Germersheim in 1998.
She joined Global Rail Group in April 2021 as an Assistant to Training Area.

Trainee

Jessika Röhl

Jessika is studying Media Design at the International University of Applied Sciences in Cologne, while she works in the field of content creation for Global Rail Academy.
She joined Global Rail Group in October 2022.

Educational Background

Since 2022: Dual student in media design, working as a trainee in content creation at the Global Rail Academy and as a student at the International University of applied Sciences.

Speaks

German, English

Recruitment Services Manager

Kenan Čabrić

Kenan joined Global Rail in 2024 and with a strong technical background as a Railway Traffic Technician he understands the skillset required and can identify an asset for Global Rail’s recruitment services. With a great range of language skills, experiences and problem solving abilities, Kenan is poised to provide new solutions to optimize operational efficiency and to add value to the railway industry. 

2012-2014: Transport Logistics Manager Cargo Vagon d.o.o.

2014-2016: Production Manager Eurocorp d.o.o.

2017-2018: Mail and Package Delivery Deutsche Post

2023-2024: Disponent Željeznice federacije Bosne i Hercegovin (ŽFBiH)

Educational Background

School of Transport and Electrical Engineering Doboj, Railway Traffic Technician

Speaks

Bosnian, German, English, French

Trainee

Igor Lukic

Igor, after completing his degree at the University of Traffic in Doboj, Bosnia and Herzegovina, joined Global Rail Group in February 2023 as a trainee for Technical Services.

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree in traffic engineering on Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering Doboj 

Speaks

Serbian, English, German (learning)

Trainer

Amer Mujkić

Amer has extensive experience in the railway sector, committed to continuous improvement, training and development. Amer possesses excellent language skills and uses these for effective communication and collaboration in an international environment. Amer’s dedication is aligned to that of Global Rail’s, which is to advance the railway systems, bringing innovative solutions and expertise to all aspects of railway transportation. Amer joined Global Rail Group in April 2024. 

2023-2024: Traffic Engineer, Internship Zeljeznice Republike Srpske A.D. DOBOJ

2024-Current: Trainer Global Rail Group 

Educational Background

Railway Transport Engineering, BSc., University of East Sarajevo. Completed 2022.

Railway Transport Engineering, MSc, University of East Sarajevo. Ongoing. 

Speaks

Bosnian, German, English

Trainer

Snježana Nedić

Snježana has a Bachelor’s degree in Traffic Engineering on Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering in Doboj. She joined Global Rail Group in February 2023.

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree in traffic engineering on Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering Doboj 

Speaks

Serbian, English, German

Trainee

Nemanja Nešić

Nemanja is a trained mechanical technician from Doboj, Bosnia and Herzegovina. After completing his education, he has been in the Serbian military, been self-employed in the Netherlands, and have been a technical supervisor for a construction company. He joined Global Rail BiH in September 2023. 

Previous Experience

2021 – 2023:
Technical leader and manager of production in a construction company in Doboj, Serbia.

Speaks

Serbian, English