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Rick Webb |
Rick Webb was named chief executive officer of Watco Companies in 1998, prior to that he held the position of vice president. He helped his father, Dick Webb, establish Watco and grow it into a multi-state, multi-million dollar company. Webb’s primary responsibility has been the growth and strategic direction of Watco Companies. He was responsible for reorganizing the Company in 1998 into a service driven structure and helped direct and build the cross-functional leadership team that is now running the Company. Webb has performed various functions in the years helping to build the company, including operations, purchasing, marketing, accounting and financial management He was appointed to the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) Rail Shipper Transportation Council (RSTAC) in 2003, and currently serves as its chairman. He was appointed to the National Industrial Transportation League (NIT-League) Board of Directors in 2005; is a member of the Business Advisory Council of Northwestern University, Chicago, Il; and is a member of the BNSF Railway Shortline Caucus. Webb earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas. |
Terry Towner |
Terry Towner holds the position of president and chief operating
officer of Watco Companies. Towner’s long-term relationship with
Watco dates back to the purchase of Watco’s first railcar repair
shop in Coffeyville in 1987. Since that time he has been involved
in numerous project milestones including analysis and advice on
numerous acquisitions and all major financing projects. He oversees
all operations of the transportation, mechanical and
transloading/intermodal divisions. |
 Gary Lundy Executive Vice President - Support Services 315 W. 3rd Street Pittsburg, KS 66762 Phone: 620-231-2230 Fax: 620-231-0812 glundy@watcocompanies.com |
Gary Lundy is executive vice president of support services. He oversees
Watco’s support services departments including purchasing, safety, and
property management. |
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Ed McKechnie, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer |
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 Ed McKechnie Executive Vice President - Chief Commercial Officer 315 W. 3rd Street Pittsburg, KS 66762 Phone: 620-231-2230 Fax: 620-231-0812 emckechnie@watcocompanies.com |
Ed McKechnie is executive vice president and Chief Commercial Officer for Watco Companies. He joined the Watco team in May of 2000 and with the Company’s tremendous growth, Ed now leads Watco’s strategic development and marketing teams with a focus on growing the business and finding new opportunities in the transportation industry. McKechnie was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 1991 and was re-elected 4 more times, serving a total of 10 years. He served on numerous committees including transportation, appropriations and the joint committee on Legislative Post Audit, the investigative arm of the Legislature. McKechnie also served on the personal staff for Governor John Carlin and U.S. Congressman Dan Glickman in Washington, D.C. McKechnie was elected by his rail colleagues to chair the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s (ASLRRA) Legislative Policy Committee in 2003. In that position he led the legislative effort that passed the short line tax credit providing $3,500 in annual tax credits for each mile of track Watco maintains. He also serves on the ASLRRA Executive Committee. In 2007 McKechnie was appointed to the nine-member Kansas Bio Science Authority, which will direct more than $500 million in research and development grants during the next 10 years. Ed earned a bachelor's degree from Pittsburg State University in 1986. |
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Rick Baden, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer |
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Rick Baden |
Rick Baden joined the Watco team in December of 2004 as executive vice president and chief financial officer. In this position he is responsible for directing and managing company accounting functions, financial strategy, budgeting and forecasting. He also directs all investment and funding for the company's capital structure and ensures the safeguarding of company assets and internal control structure. Baden served as president and chief financial officer of Pitt Plastics, a $100 million plastics manufacturer. His seventeen years of experience in general management, accounting management, project management, and auditing span from the manufacturing, distribution, and the technology industries. Baden is a member of the American Shortline and Regional Railroad Association’s (ASLRRA) Finance and Administration Committee, and a member of the Pittsburg Economic Development Advisory Committee. A Certified Public Accountant, Baden graduated Magna Cum Laude from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1990. |
 Craig Richey Executive Vice President General Counsel 315 W. 3rd Street Pittsburg, KS 66762 Phone: 620-231-2230 Fax: 620-231-0812 crichey@watcocompanies.com |
Craig Richey joined the Watco team in 2003 and serves as executive vice president and general counsel. His relationship with Watco began in 1990 while in private practice with Wilbert and Towner Law Offices in Pittsburg, Kansas and since then Craig has been actively involved in all Watco acquisitions.
Richey had practiced law for 13 years with Wilbert and Towner and
was a managing partner the last seven years of his practice at the
firm. |