Who is Justin Broyles and what is his background?

Justin Broyles is the president and chief executive of R.J. Corman, a major short-line railroad services company. He has been actively involved in ASLRRA governance since joining the board in 2020 and brings substantial operational experience in regional rail operations to the chairmanship role.

What is ASLRRA and why does its leadership matter?

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) is the primary trade group representing approximately 600 short-line and regional railroads in North America. Its leadership shapes advocacy positions on legislative, regulatory, and legal issues that directly affect freight rail operations, rates, and service standards used by shippers and logistics providers.

What were the priorities under Matt Walsh's leadership?

According to ASLRRA President Chuck Baker, Matt Walsh's tenure focused on delivering member value and advancing member interests in legal, regulatory, and legislative domains. Walsh served a full three-year term before transitioning leadership.

Does this leadership change affect short-line rail services or rates?

No immediate operational changes are expected. This is a routine board transition. However, shippers should monitor ASLRRA's advocacy priorities under Broyles' leadership to anticipate potential regulatory or policy shifts affecting rail freight.

Who is the new vice chair and what is their role?

Kristen Bevil, general counsel and chief legal officer of Pinsly Railroad, has been appointed vice chair. Bevil has served on the ASLRRA board since 2019 and brings legal expertise to the executive leadership team.

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R.J. Corman CEO Named ASLRRA Chairman; Leadership Transition

Justin Broyles, president and CEO of R.J. Corman, has been formally installed as chairman of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) effective April 14, 2025. This leadership transition represents a routine governance change within the rail industry's primary trade advocacy organization. Broyles, who has served on the ASLRRA board since 2020, succeeds Matt Walsh of Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services, who completed a full three-year term. The appointment also includes Kristen Bevil of Pinsly Railroad as vice chair, continuing the association's commitment to representative leadership across the short-line rail sector. While this announcement reflects normal board rotation within industry organizations, it signals continued institutional stability and advocacy focus within the regional rail community. The ASLRRA serves as a critical voice for approximately 600 short-line and regional railroads in legislative, regulatory, and legal matters affecting the freight rail industry. Leadership transitions such as these ensure fresh perspectives and maintain broad stakeholder representation across the sector. For supply chain professionals, this development is primarily informational—indicating organizational continuity within a key industry body rather than signaling operational disruptions or strategic shifts in freight rail services. However, monitoring ASLRRA initiatives and advocacy priorities under new leadership can help shippers and logistics managers anticipate regulatory or policy developments affecting rail freight rates, service standards, and network optimization.

Apr 28, 2026Source: FreightWaves3 min read

Institutional Continuity in Short-Line Rail Leadership

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) announced a routine but significant leadership transition in mid-April 2025, with Justin Broyles of R.J. Corman assuming the chairmanship of the 600-member trade group's board of directors. This development represents stable governance within the North American short-line rail sector—an industry segment that handles roughly 40% of U.S. rail traffic and serves as the operational backbone for many regional freight networks. Broyles, who brings direct operational experience as president and CEO of a major short-line services company, succeeds Matt Walsh of Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services, who completed a full three-year term.

What This Leadership Transition Signals

While board rotations in trade associations may appear routine to observers outside the industry, they carry meaningful implications for advocacy direction and priority-setting within the regulatory and legislative environment. ASLRRA serves as the collective voice for short-line operators on critical issues including rate regulation, infrastructure investment, labor standards, and operational safety. The appointment of Broyles suggests continuity in advocacy focus, given his deep operational involvement over a five-year board tenure. Additionally, the elevation of Kristen Bevil of Pinsly Railroad to vice chair strengthens the association's internal legal and governance capacity at a time when rail-specific regulatory pressures are intensifying.

For supply chain professionals and shippers, this transition underscores the importance of maintaining awareness of ASLRRA's strategic priorities. Short-line railroads are increasingly critical to intermodal operations, rail-to-truck connections, and specialized freight handling (automotive parts, agricultural products, energy commodities). Leadership changes within industry trade groups often precede shifts in advocacy positions—whether on infrastructure investment, regulatory compliance requirements, or service level standards that directly affect shipping costs and transit reliability.

Operational Implications for Supply Chain Teams

Shippers and logistics managers should consider this an opportune moment to engage with ASLRRA's new leadership on issues affecting their supply chains. Broyles' CEO background suggests a pragmatic, operations-focused approach to advocacy—potentially favorable for discussions around service standards, network reliability, and competitive positioning versus trucking alternatives. The formal installation occurred during ASLRRA's annual conference in Minneapolis, providing an ideal forum for stakeholder dialogue.

The transition also reflects generational continuity within the short-line industry, where family-owned and regional operators dominate the competitive landscape. R.J. Corman itself operates across multiple business lines (rail switching, construction, material handling), positioning Broyles as a broadly experienced advocate for the sector's diversified operational needs. This diversity of experience may translate into more nuanced policy positions on technology adoption, workforce development, and supply chain resilience—areas increasingly important to shippers navigating post-pandemic supply chains.

Looking Ahead

Supply chain professionals should expect Broyles to prioritize advocacy on infrastructure investment, regulatory modernization, and intermodal connectivity—standard ASLRRA focuses, but potentially emphasized differently based on operational background. Monitoring ASLRRA's policy announcements and legislative positions over the coming 12-18 months will provide valuable insight into evolving industry priorities that may affect rail freight accessibility, pricing, and service levels. For shippers with significant short-line dependency, engagement with ASLRRA during this leadership transition may be particularly valuable in shaping the association's priorities align with operational realities in 2025 and beyond.

Source: FreightWaves

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