Red River & Valley Western Railroad names new CEO, president

The Red River & Valley Western Railroad  (RRVW) said Tuesday that Nate Asplund will replace Andy Thompson as president and CEO.

“Nate brings knowledge and experience in the rail industry that will be invaluable in helping us formulate strategies for RRVW’s future,” RRVW Trustee Martha Head said. The short-line railroad is owned by a family trust. Its lines run through North Dakota and Minnesota.

“(Asplund's) contacts and relationships in the rail community also promise to be extremely useful. Most importantly, we are excited about his impressive intelligence, integrity and vision. We are confident we’ve selected the right person to lead RRVW’s continued growth and development,” Head said. 

Asplund most recently served as BSNF Railway assistant vice president for Mexico. At BNSF Railway, Asplund led a U.S. and Mexico-based team that provides rail and intermodal transportation to and from Mexico.

Thompson will retire at the end of the month after he assists with Asplund’s transition into president and CEO.

“Andy Thompson, has been a highly valued member of RRVW since 2005,” Head said. “Under his leadership, RRVW has grown to a company of more than 100 employees engaged in the transport of over 60,000 freight cars per year. We deeply appreciate Andy’s leadership over the last decade and wish him every happiness in his retirement.”