James W. Benz

Chief Operating Officer
Genesee & Wyoming, Inc.
Jacksonville, Florida

James W. Benz has been chief operating officer of Genesee & Wyoming, Inc (GWI) since 2005.  Previously, he was president of GWI's Rail Link Region for eight years.  Benz founded Rail Link in 1987 and, after its acquisition of GWI in 1996, he built the business into one of the company's largest operating units.  His more than thirty-five years of railroad industry experience includes positions with the Seaboard Coast Line and CSX Transportation.  Benz has a BS in business administration from the University of Tennessee.  He also completed Harvard University's Advanced Management Program.