Nov. 6, 2008
Media contact: Chris Gleason, Community & Media Services manager, (253) 502-8222
Tacoma Public Utilities has selected Dale King, director of rail services for Weyerhaeuser, as the new Tacoma Rail superintendent. King replaces Paula Henry, who left Tacoma Rail in March to pursue a career with a private railroad.
King’s experience at Weyerhaeuser includes managing 200,000 annual rail shipments in North America and supervising the operations of five short-line railroads that employ more than 140 people. He has worked at the forest products company since 1995. King was previously employed with Burlington Northern Railroad.
“Dale’s business management expertise will complement the operations expertise that already exists in the Tacoma Rail management team,” said Tacoma Public Utilities Director/CEO Bill Gaines. “I believe that this combination of skills will help Tacoma Rail provide even better service to its customers and increase efficiency throughout its operations.”
As superintendent, King will oversee one of the largest short-line railroads in the country. Tacoma Rail employees more than 100 people and generates more than $18 million in annual revenue.
“Dale will have the opportunity to work with Assistant Superintendent Alan Hardy, one of the best operations people in the rail industry, who served as interim superintendent for the past six months,” Gaines said. “The combination will be a powerful one.”
Tacoma Public Utilities conducted a national search to fill the Tacoma Rail superintendent position.
For more information about Tacoma Rail visit www.tacomarail.com.
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About Tacoma Rail
Tacoma Rail is a 100 percent rate-supported railroad and is one of three operating divisions of Tacoma Public Utilities. Tacoma Rail's more than 110 employees provide service 24 hours a day, seven days a week to handle intermodal and bulk cargo switching in the Port of Tacoma and other responsibilities including track inspection and maintenance, locomotive maintenance, customer service and administration.
