ASLRRA Confirms R J Corman CEO Justin Broyles Chairman

WASHINGTON D.C. – The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has appointed Justin Broyles, president and CEO of R. J. Corman Railroad Group, as its new chairman, effective April 14. Separately, the Port of Long Beach has promoted 20-year port engineer Cesar Larios to lead its construction management division, where he will oversee all harbor infrastructure projects.

What Is the Full Scope of This Development?

The ASLRRA leadership transition sees Justin Broyles succeed Matt Walsh of Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services, who completed his three-year term. Broyles has been a member of the ASLRRA board since 2020. The board also appointed Kristen Bevil, General Counsel for Pinsly Railroad, as its new vice chair. At the Port of Long Beach, Cesar Larios will manage all construction projects from inception to completion; he previously managed the port’s 10-year, $1.5 billion Middle Harbor Terminal Redevelopment program.

Key Development Data

How Does This Compare to Industry Trends?

The ASLRRA leadership change reflects a standard governance rotation for industry associations. The appointment of Cesar Larios at the Port of Long Beach, however, highlights the critical need for experienced managers to oversee massive capital expenditure programs at U.S. ports. The $1.5 billion Middle Harbor project Larios previously managed is comparable in scale to other major national port investments, such as the Port of Virginia’s $1.4 billion infrastructure expansion program completed in 2024 and the Port of Houston’s ongoing $1 billion channel widening project (Source: Port Authorities of Virginia and Houston, 2024). These projects are essential for accommodating larger vessels and increasing cargo throughput.

Editor’s Analysis

These appointments place experienced executives in critical positions for the U.S. supply chain. The new ASLRRA leadership will advocate for the short line sector, which provides essential first- and last-mile connections, while the Port of Long Beach role is vital for executing the large-scale infrastructure projects needed to maintain global competitiveness. The emphasis on project delivery aligns with a global trend of accelerating transport infrastructure investment, such as in European high-speed rail where deal values rose 320% in the last year, underscoring the high-stakes environment for capital project execution (Source: 2025 Market Context Data).

FAQ

Q: What is the role of the ASLRRA in the U.S. rail industry?
A: The ASLRRA is a trade association that represents the interests of over 600 short line and regional railroads in North America. These railroads operate approximately 30% of the U.S. rail network’s route mileage and are crucial for connecting smaller communities and industries to the national rail system.

Q: What was the significance of the Middle Harbor Terminal project Larios managed?
A: The $1.5 billion Middle Harbor Redevelopment project combined two older, smaller container terminals into a single, highly automated facility now known as the Long Beach Container Terminal. The project doubled the terminal’s cargo capacity while cutting air pollution, making it one of the most technologically advanced and greenest terminals in the world.

Q: What are the upcoming priorities for the Port of Long Beach’s construction division?
A: While specific new projects under Mr. Larios were not announced, the port’s ongoing capital improvement program includes initiatives like the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility, aimed at improving the transfer of cargo from ships to trains. This has not been officially confirmed as his immediate priority.