OmniTRAX Names Current BNSF Executive Colby Tanner CEO As Part Of Planned CEO Succession
Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
Cobly Tanner (courtesy OmniTRAX)
DENVER –– OmniTRAX, the Broe Group's rail and real estate affiliate, has named Colby Tanner as its new CEO.
Tanner will assume his new role on April 15 and comes to OmniTRAX with significant rail and real estate experience developed at BNSF Railway and Walmart. Tanner will work with current OmniTRAX CEO Dean Piacente to oversee growth initiatives for 2025 before Piacente’s retirement, planned for December. Piacente will move to the OmniTRAX Board of Directors at that time.
The Broe Group Founder, Pat Broe, said “Colby’s real estate development expertise is the ideal complement to our rail and real estate logistics platforrm. The current demand for domestic rail-served sites is unprecedented and OmniTRAX continues to deliver award-winning projects for industry leaders across North America. Colby’s dynamic real estate experience pairs perfectly with OmniTRAX Chairman David Garin’s BNSF Railway commercial relationships and Dean Piacente’s CSX Transportation expertise to create an unparalleled national knowledge network to drive company-wide growth.”
Tanner is a Missouri native and has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Missouri and a Master of Arts degree from Missouri State University.
Tanner has a number of career accomplishments. He led the BNSF industrial products group, including managing billions of dollars in project site selection, construction, and real estate development. His career began with time at the Missouri Department of Economic Development and gained additional industrial project site selection experience with Carter & Burgess. Tanner later joined Walmart to manage retail expansion and industrial development for about ten years before assuming responsibility for the western United States real estate footprint for Sam’s Club. In 2015, Tanner joined BNSF and was promoted to positions of increasing responsibility, finishing his career with the railroad after his appointment to Group Vice President for Industrial Products in 2021.
OmniTRAX Board Chairman David Garin said “Colby is well positioned to lead our immediate and long-term company growth. His extensive real estate development expertise and proven Class I rail record provide tremendous resources to grow the OmniTRAX North American Rail Network. First and last mile rail service is essential to domestic rail growth and Colby will help us accelerate expanded rail access for the intense customer demand we are experiencing throughout North America.”
Tanner himself sees strong opportunity in leveraging OmniTRAX’s entrepreneurial approach to offering the company’s fully integrated rail and real estate development capability to potential customers. OmniTRAX enjoys a strong record of safety performance along with a customer-centric culture that Tanner believes offers limitless potential for OmniTRAX.
Tanner said “OmniTRAX is the fastest growing domestic railroad for good reason. Their growth strategy, resources, and leadership are unique. The competitive benefits of pairing rail and real estate are undeniable. At BNSF Railway, I have seen its powerful impact on supply chains across industry and I am excited to lead a company that recognizes this transformative power.”
Tanner and his family will move to Colorado, OmniTRAX’s corporate headquarters.
