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.
