Senior

Staff

Headshot of Brandy D. Christian

Brandy D. Christian

CEO

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Brandy D. Christian

CEO

Brandy D. Christian serves as the CEO of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Commission, the short-line connecting railroad aligned with the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) managing $30 million in revenues and 180 employees.

Christian also serves as President and CEO of Port NOLA, a public agency that manages revenues exceeding $65 million, nearly 300 employees and $200 million in capital projects. In this role, Christian oversees all cargo, cruise and industrial real estate operations.

Christian serves on the Green Marine Board of Directors, Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council, Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank Trade and Transportation Advisory Council, Louisiana Board of International Commerce, the World Trade Center of New Orleans Board of Directors, the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors and as the Cruise Committee Chair for the American Association of Port Authorities.

Before joining Port NOLA, Christian served 14 years with the Port of San Diego as vice president of strategy and business development.

Tomeka Watson 6709rcrop

Tomeka Watson Bryant

General Manager

tomeka.watson@railnola.com 504-896-7446
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Tomeka Watson Bryant

General Manager

tomeka.watson@railnola.com

Tomeka Bryant is the General Manager of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad. She began her role as GM in June 2022 and directs daily operations of the New Orleans Public Belt, including railroad strategy, safety strategy and process improvement initiatives.

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Troy D. Banks

Manager, Engineering

troy.banks@railnola.com 504-896-7425
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Troy D. Banks

Manager, Engineering

troy.banks@railnola.com

Troy Banks, Manager of Engineering, supervises the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad’s Bridge and Building Department. Mr. Banks keeps a daily focus on the Huey P. Long Bridge, NOPB Sawmill, and all of facilities on the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad. Mr. Banks has 16 years of experience in the Bridge and Building Department, with 7 years as a heavy machine operator and a Bridge Timber Fabricator in the NOPB Sawmill. Mr. Banks is entering his sixth year as a manager in the NOPB Engineering Department. Troy is certified by the University of Tennessee- Knoxville on Railroad Track Inspections and Safety Standards and oversees all Bridgeman Fall Protection Training. Born and raised in the Holly Grove Community, Troy bleeds “Black and Gold” on Sundays and is proud to be part of the New Orleans community.

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Ari Ferrand-Rodgers

Director of Organizational Development

ari.ferrand-rodgers@railnola.com 504-896-7458
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Ari Ferrand-Rodgers

Director of Organizational Development

ari.ferrand-rodgers@railnola.com

Ari Ferrand-Rodgers serves as the Director of Organizational Development at New Orleans Public Belt Railroad, her primary responsibilities include recruiting, conducting employee onboarding, crafting HR polices and providing support to employees in various HR-related topics such as leaves, compensation and employee relations.

Prior to joining NOPB Ari worked in the private sector where she addressed organizational issues and trained and guided team members on HR processes. Ari earned an MBA with a concentration in Human Resources Management from Capella University in 2017 and is also an alumna of Nicholls State University.

She holds a professional HR certification through the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM-CP) and is a member of the SHRM National Chapter.

C Kocur

Carl Kocur

Vice President, Engineering

Carl.Kocur@railnola.com
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Carl Kocur

Vice President, Engineering

Carl.Kocur@railnola.com

Carl Kocur is the New Orleans Public Belt’s Vice President, Engineering. Kocur joined NOPB’s management team in November, 2014, coming from Palmetto Railways where he served as Director of Engineering and Maintenance. Kocur began his railroad career over 15 years ago as trackman and has also held the positions of equipment operator, regulator operator, tamper operator, track inspector and Roadmaster. He continued to expand his knowledge through several years spent working for a rail contractor building industry track in the Midwest. Prior to his career in the railroad industry, he worked as a safety instructor teaching OSHA courses. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Butler University.

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Isaac McPherson

Superintendent of Transportation

isaac.mcpherson@railnola.com 504-896-7447
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Isaac McPherson

Superintendent of Transportation

isaac.mcpherson@railnola.com

Ike McPherson serves as New Orleans Public Belt’s Superintendent of Transportation. McPherson began his rail career in 1998 as a switchman. He was then promoted to yardmaster, trainmaster, and Superintendent, a role he began in 2015. As Superintendent, McPherson manages operations and transportation needs for Downtown New Orleans as well as local customer business across the network. Prior to joining the New Orleans Public Belt, McPherson served as a Police Officer in Jefferson Parish.

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Claudia Simmons

Manager, Finance

claudia.simmons@railnola.com 504-896-7445
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Claudia Simmons

Manager, Finance

claudia.simmons@railnola.com

Claudia Simmons is the Manager of Accounting of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad. She began her career at NOPB in 1993 after receiving her bachelor’s degree from the University of New Orleans. After working in various clerical positions, she accepted a position in management in June of 2013. Currently, she has over 20 years of experience in Accounting at NOPB.