CHICAGO—January 25, 2017 (James Street Media Services)—The Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS) elected its 2017 slate of officers at the annual winter meeting earlier in January.

The 2017 MARS officers are: 


• President: Michael Barth, vice president of transportation and logistics, United Sugars, Moorhead, Minnesota 
• First Vice President: Harry Zander, senior vice president, ECN Capital Rail Finance, Chicago, Illinois
• Second Vice President: Tom Surma, manager of transportation services, CF Industries, Deerfield Illinois

Newly elected to the MARS Executive Committee are: Steve Blinn, Norfolk Southern, Westchester, Illinois; Rob Cook, Bunge North America, St. Louis, Missouri; Scott Lurkins, Anacostia Rail Holdings, Chicago, Illinois; and Steve Kirk, Oakley Transport, Lockport, Illinois.

Record attendance of nearly 800 marked the two-day 2017 Winter Meeting in Oakbrook, Illinois, where the officers were elected. MARS 2017 Annual Summer Meeting will be held July 10–11 at the Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Information will be available at www.mwrailshippers.com in the coming months.

About The Midwest Association of Rail Shippers

The Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS) is one of five regional North American associations under the North American Rail Shippers (NARS) national organization. Headquartered in the Chicago area, MARS provides an open forum for discussion and resolution of rail transportation issues by bringing railroads, shippers, receivers, and rail supply companies together twice annually for formal meetings in the Chicago area. To review the most recent meeting presentations, and to inquire about MARS membership, please visit the MARS website at www.mwrailshippers.com. 

MEDIA CONTACT

Bill Fahrenwald

James Street Associates

708-528-0681
bill@jamesstreet.net