LEADERSHIP TEAM
Paul Treangen
Chief Executive Officer
Paul is responsible for the strategic direction, operations, corporate culture, and fiscal performance of TNW’s suite of operations. He also serves as a member of the firm’s Board of Directors.
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Paul has over 34 years of experience in senior executive leadership, primarily focused in the transportation and energy sectors. Prior to joining TNW in 2014, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Colo Railroad Builders. He has served as President of Alliant Energy Transportation, President of Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway, Director of Generation, and Director of Electric and Gas Delivery for Alliant Energy Corporation, a NYSE company. Currently, Paul is serving on the Texas Freight Advisory Committee.
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Paul has a B.B.A. and M.B.A. from the University of Iowa. He has been a member of the Board of Directors for numerous professional organizations, including Colo Railroad Builders, Iowa Interstate Railway, Heartland Corporation, Iowa Northern Railway, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, and was president of the Texas Short Line Railroad Association from 2017 to 2023.
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Bobby M. Franklin
Chief Operating Officer
Bobby is responsible for the performance, staffing, resource alignment, and implementation of strategic initiatives for all TNW Corporation operating units.
Previously, Bobby served in TNW roles of Vice President, Transportation, Director, Railway Operations, and General Manager, TXNW.
Before coming to TNW Corporation in 2020, Bobby served as the Vice President of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB). Other rail industry roles include Chief Transportations Officer at the NOPB and Superintendent and Terminal Manager at CSX Transportation. He is a graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi.
Dan Blank
Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Dan's responsibilities entail leading the development and execution of strategic sales initiatives, managing and optimizing sales operations, building lasting customer relationships, and driving revenue growth for all TNW companies. He also oversees all marketing, branding and social media strategies.
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​Previously, Dan served at TNW in the roles of Senior Manager of Sales and Director of Sales and Marketing.
Dan joined TNW in early 2024 after having spent over 15 years serving in various leadership positions on Union Pacific Railroad’s operating team followed by 2 years owning and operating a supply company. His previous rail industry roles include Director of Terminal Operations, Director of Intermodal Operations, General Director of Crew Management Services, and Chief Safety Officer.
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Dan has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Marketing from Arizona State University.
Joey Evans
Senior Director, Governmental Affairs & Business Development
Joey is a seasoned rail industry professional with over 20 years of experience, leading TNW's development and execution of government affairs and strategic growth initiatives. This role oversees legislative strategy, public funding efforts, real estate and industrial development projects, and supports acquisition and expansion activities aligned with the company’s long-term objectives.
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Joey is the current President of the Texas Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (TSLRRA), and a member of the TXDOT Freight Advisory Committee.
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Joey’s career has been defined by leadership in various roles across the short line railroad industry in the United States. Prior to his current role, he led Customer Success for TNW, encompassing customer service, revenue protection, and infrastructure technology. His journey began as a conductor and engineer, where his hands-on experience laid the foundation for his transition into management roles.
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A passionate advocate for the short line rail industry, Joey is excited to help shape its future through economic development, innovative technology, and effective government relations.
Phil Logan
Director of Operations
Phil is responsible for overseeing and integrating all operational aspects of TNW's Rail and Logistics divisions. This encompasses strategic planning, safety management, financial performance, budgeting, capital investment returns, policy development, regulatory compliance, and employee recruitment, retention, and training.
Phil brings over 30 years of experience in both Short Line and Class I railroad operations. A certified Six Sigma Black Belt, he has led large teams through complex challenges while driving improvements in safety, service, and efficiency.
Phil has an MBA in Organizational Management and a BA in Business Marketing.
Doug Campbell
Director, Infrastructure and Projects
Doug is responsible for providing leadership, vision, strategy, and guidance for all TNW infrastructure, including all trackage, signals, bridges and buildings. He is also responsible for capital projects, material procurement, grant writing, regulatory interface, and strategic growth support.
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Before joining TNW, Doug’s 30 years in the railroad industry included serving as interim Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Vice President of Engineering for New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPBR). Prior to that, Doug was the Director of Engineering and Maintenance at South Carolina Public Railways. Doug is a certified engineer and holds a degree in Political Science from the College of Charleston.
Ayanna Smith
Director of Finance
Ayanna oversees corporate financial operations and controls including accounting functions, reporting, strategy, analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning.
Ayanna has over 15 years of experience in accountancy, including positions with Waste Control Specialists, LLC, as a Senior Accountant and Revenue Analyst. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Accountancy from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.
Vlieta Pennington
Director, Human Resources
Vlieta is responsible for strategic human resource planning to recruit, develop and retain top talent for TNW; providing, educating and assisting employees with a comprehensive benefits package; implementing our competitive compensation program; and developing and implementing personnel policies.
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Vlieta has over 14 years of experience in the railroad industry. Prior to that, she served as Vice President/CFO of Dallas Brewery, Inc. Vlieta has a B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Oklahoma.