Loram names Willems CFO, promotes two to director positions

Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc., appointed Brad Willems to the executive position of chief financial officer. In his new role, Willems will have the responsibility for all corporate accounting, tax and information technology roles, in addition to providing oversight of the friction management business unit.

Willems joined Loram in 2012 as the director of marketing and business development and has since taken on responsibility for leading the company’s North American sales efforts, as well as overseeing the acquisition and integration of the friction management business.

“When Brad first started at Loram, he quickly accredited himself within the company and the railway industry as a multidimensional leader who is respected for his knowledge, collaborative approach to problem solving and his visionary leadership,” said Phil Homan, president and chief executive officer. “We are honored to appoint Brad to the chief financial officer position.”

Prior to joining Loram, Willems was a CPA for McGladrey and Pullen. He also spent 20 years at Super Value, where he held various leadership roles in finance, strategic sourcing and market development.

Additionally, the company promoted Jon Behrens to director, chief engineers out of the company’s Hamel, Minn., office. At Loram, Behrens has previously held the positions of general manager of friction management, integration manager and chief engineer of rail grinders.

The company also promoted Vennie Dyavanapalli to director, friction management located in Carol Stream, Ill. Dyavanapalli previously was product line manager at Loram and prior to coming to the company he was chief executive officer of Menard’s Railroad Materials.