Robert Menzies acquired the Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway in 1987 from the Aberdeen & Briarpatch Railway. He has had a lifelong interest in the transportation industry. He began his undergraduate studies in transportation at Arizona State University. He continued on to receive a graduate degree in transportation and logistics at Michigan State University. Bob then taught transportation at Murray State University in Kentucky as well as Tri-State University in Indiana. He has owned businesses in other service industries across the U.S., and always stresses the need for good service to his customers. He carried that mentality to the Aberdeen Carolina & Western, where we continue to value the customer's everyday needs.
Carl began his railroad career with the South Carolina Central Railroad (SCRF) in Hartsville, South Carolina, after receiving his BBA in Computer Information Systems Management (CISM) from Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina. The SCRF was one of several RailTex acquisitions within the mid-Atlantic region from both CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway. Carl continued his career with RailTex, holding various operational and management positions. In 1993, Carl served as Director of Operations and Rail Planning for Tengizchevroil, a joint venture between Chevron Overseas Petroleum and the former Soviet Republic of Kazakstan. In 1997, Carl returned to RailTex's domestic operations as the General Manager of the North Carolina & Virginia Railroad, the Chesapeake & Albemarle Railroad and the Virginia Southern Railroad, all headquartered in Ahoskie, North Carolina. In 2003, Carl accepted the position of Vice President of Operations for OmniTRAX of Denver, Colorado. In 2007, longing to return to North Carolina, Carl accepted the position at the Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway. He most recently served as president of the North Carolina Railway Association.
Russ joined the Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway team as the vice president of marketing in December 2009. He leads the company’s business/brand development plans, long-term strategic planning, and sales and marketing efforts. For the three years prior to joining Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway, he was the regional development manager for CSX Transportation in the states of Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. Russ has over two decades of leading and developing business for Class I rail carriers across the U.S. and Canada, including the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway (BNSF). During his Class I rail career, Russ created strategies, managed teams and worked deals that have brought hundreds of millions of dollars in business from both the small start-up to large multi-national conglomerates. Contact Russ for any inquiries about rates, new business opportunities, and other marketing related things.
Dale Parks began his Railroad career in 1986 at the Mid Atlantic Railroad in Chadbourn N.C. Having been in Train Service as a locomotive engineer, he worked his way up to Chief Mechanical Officer. In 1989, he took a job opportunity to work with Railtex at the Georgia South Western where he was responsible for the locomotive and freight car fleet. Then in 1992, he was transfered to the North Carolina & Virginia Properties, where he took care of The Chesapeake and Albemarle Railway and the Virginia Southern railway. In 2005, Dale spearheaded a maintenance contract for the BNSF Railway under Omnitrax, and later became their Chief Mechanical Officer for all OmniTrax railroads in the U.S.
In 2007, Dale joined the Aberdeen Carolina & Western to return to his home state. Dale is currently the Vice President of Mechanical & Chief Mechanical Officer, where he takes on locomotive maintenance as well as passenger car maintenance. With five Passenger Cars to be restored, he takes a lot of pride in returning the fleet to their glory days when travel by train was every child’s dream. He most recently began a mobile maintenance program to service and maintain locomotives throughout North and South Carolina.
Ed began his railroad career in 1990 at the North Carolina & Virginia Railroad as an Engineer/Conductor for RailTex. In 1994, Ed attended the University of Tennessee and received his certification as a FRA Certified Track Inspector. In 1995, Ed accepted the position as Train Master at the Virginia Southern Railroad in Keysville, Virginia, for RailTex. Also, in 1995, Ed received his certificate for DSLE training and in 1998 received his certificate of completion for Hazardous Material Operations in Pueblo, Colorado. In 2005, Ed accepted the position as President of the Kettle Falls International Railway in Kettle Falls, Washington, with OmniTrax of Denver, Colorado. As President of the Kettle Falls International Railway, Ed communicated with Canadian and U.S. Customs, U.S. Border Patrol, Transport Canada, and facilitated Canadian Operating Rules. In 2009, Ed was offered the opportunity to move closer to home and accepted the position of Superintendent of Operations with the Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway. During this time, he has maintained his skills as a Track Inspector, Engineer/Conductor, and DSLE.
Anthony joined the railway team in August 2009 after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He brings a young knowledge of computer expertise, and leads the website development efforts and corridor mapping. He also works closely with Russ Smitley to help bring new business to the Aberdeen Carolina & Western.
