American Short Line & Regional

Washington, DC · Founded 1948

Trade association representing short line and regional freight railroad operators across North America

Primary audience
Railroad operators
Work area
Trade association
Topic
Freight transportation
Contact
Charles Baker
Website Contact

About Organization

The organization serves as the primary trade association for short line and regional railroad operators, representing companies that operate 50,000 miles of track—nearly 40 percent of the national railroad network. Based in Washington, DC and founded in 1948, it reported $8.8 million in revenue with 16 employees in 2024.

What They Focus On

Industry Advocacy

Represents short line railroad interests in regulatory proceedings and policy discussions affecting freight rail operations

Member Services

Provides networking opportunities, technical resources, and operational best practices to railroad operators nationwide

Industry Coordination

Facilitates collaboration among short line operators to address shared challenges in freight transportation infrastructure

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$8.8M

+6.7% vs 2023

Expenses (2024)

$7.9M

+6.9% vs 2023

Assets (2024)

$9.5M

+6.1% vs 2023

Employees (2024)

16

-15.8% vs 2023

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2024 $8,791,159 $7,902,182 $9,548,445 16
2023 $8,237,118 $7,388,879 $8,999,217 19
2022 $7,484,491 $7,030,720 $7,701,896 21
2020 $5,723,361 $5,816,124 $2,981,710 17
2019 $7,455,672 $7,608,986 $3,417,392 19
2018 $6,776,310 $7,176,208 $2,821,617 15

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Member Engagement

    Brings together short line railroad operators to identify shared challenges and strategic priorities

  • 02

    Knowledge Pooling

    Collects technical expertise and operational data from member railroads across the network

  • 03

    Position Development

    Coordinates member input to establish unified industry positions on regulatory and operational issues

  • 04

    Industry Representation

    Advocates for short line railroad interests with policymakers and industry stakeholders

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by American Short Line & Regional

Industry Advocacy

Develops and promotes unified policy positions on behalf of short line railroad operators with government agencies and stakeholders

Member Convenings

Facilitates meetings and conferences where short line railroad operators discuss operational challenges and share best practices

Communications Network

Maintains channels for short line operators to coordinate knowledge sharing and industry-wide collaboration

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind American Short Line & Regional.

CB

Charles Baker

President
Full-time
Compensation: $495,558
JS

Jo Strang

Sr. VP, Safety And Regulatory
Full-time
Compensation: $259,674
SY

Sarah Yurasko

General Council
Full-time
Compensation: $244,730
KK

Kathleen Keeney

Member Engagement & Sales
Full-time
Compensation: $226,421
SW

Sabrina Waiss

Sr. VP Edu. And Business Serv
Full-time
Compensation: $197,982
EG

Edward Gelnar Jr

VP, Safety & Compliance
Full-time
Compensation: $182,859
RS

Richard Sherman

Government Relations
Full-time
Compensation: $177,910
FO

Frederick Oelsner

Information Technology
Full-time
Compensation: $174,888
AW

Amy Westerman

Employee
Full-time
Compensation: $136,636
CG

Crystal Gitchell

Employee
Full-time
Compensation: $129,535
DL

Danialle Lovik

Employee
Full-time
Compensation: $120,162
KB

Kathleen Birch

Employee
Full-time
Compensation: $114,265
AM

Alan Maples

Director
AC

Allen Carswell

Director
BT

Ben Tarbutton III

Director
BM

Bobby M Franklin

Director
CB

Cathrin Banks

Director
CS

Chris Spiceland

Director
CH

Clark Hopp

Director
DR

Daniel Robbins

Director
DC

David C Arganbright

Director
EJ

Edward J Foley

Director
EL

Eric Levin

Director
FF

Frank Forlini

Director
HS

Hunter Sims

Director
JK

James Kornas

Director
JB

Jason Bradt

Director
JP

Joseph Parsons

Director
KG

Kareen Gray

Director
KB

Kristin Bevil

Director
LM

Laura McNichol

Director
LB

Lucas Brewer

Director
NR

Nathan R Fenno

Director
OC

Otis Cliatt II

Director
RB

Robert Babcock

Director
RB

Robert Bullock

Director
RL

Robert Ledoux

Director
RL

Ross Lane

Director
SJ

Scott J Traylor

Director
TA

Thomas A Greene

Director
TB

Tomeka Bryant

Director
TA

Tracey Alves

Director
WW

William Weedmark

Director

Milestones

1948

Organization Founded

1948

Established as the national association representing short line and regional railroads

1993

Tax-Exempt Status

1993

Received IRS determination as a tax-exempt business league under Section 501(c)(6)

2023

Revenue Growth

2023

Annual revenue reached $8.2 million, reflecting expanded member services and industry engagement

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AM
Alan Maples Director 2.00 hrs/week
AC
Allen Carswell Director 2.00 hrs/week
BT
Ben Tarbutton III Director 2.00 hrs/week
BM
Bobby M Franklin Director 2.00 hrs/week
CB
Cathrin Banks Director 2.00 hrs/week
CS
Chris Spiceland Director 2.00 hrs/week
CH
Clark Hopp Director 2.00 hrs/week
DR
Daniel Robbins Director 2.00 hrs/week
DC
David C Arganbright Director 2.00 hrs/week
EJ
Edward J Foley Director 2.00 hrs/week
EL
Eric Levin Director 2.00 hrs/week
FF
Frank Forlini Director 2.00 hrs/week
HS
Hunter Sims Director 2.00 hrs/week
JK
James Kornas Director 2.00 hrs/week
JB
Jason Bradt Director 2.00 hrs/week
JP
Joseph Parsons Director 2.00 hrs/week
JB
Justin Broyles Vice Chair 2.00 hrs/week
KG
Kareen Gray Director 2.00 hrs/week
KB
Kristin Bevil Director 2.00 hrs/week
LM
Laura McNichol Director 2.00 hrs/week
LB
Lucas Brewer Director 2.00 hrs/week
MW
Matthew Walsh Board Chair 2.00 hrs/week
NR
Nathan R Fenno Director 2.00 hrs/week
OC
Otis Cliatt II Director 2.00 hrs/week
RB
Robert Babcock Director 2.00 hrs/week
RB
Robert Bullock Director 2.00 hrs/week
RL
Robert Ledoux Director 2.00 hrs/week
RL
Ross Lane Director 2.00 hrs/week
SJ
Scott J Traylor Director 2.00 hrs/week
TA
Thomas A Greene Director 2.00 hrs/week
TB
Tomeka Bryant Director 2.00 hrs/week
TA
Tracey Alves Director 2.00 hrs/week
WW
William Weedmark Director 2.00 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$2.7M

Highest Paid

$538K

Charles Baker

Compensated Officers

12

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Charles Baker President $495,558 $42,560 $538,118 40
Jo Strang SR. VP, Safety And Regulatory $259,674 $43,560 $303,234 40
Sarah Yurasko General Council $244,730 $38,305 $283,035 40
Kathleen Keeney Member Engagement & Sales $226,421 $40,678 $267,099 40
Sabrina Waiss SR. VP Edu. And Business Serv $197,982 $45,744 $243,726 40
Edward Gelnar JR VP, Safety & Compliance $182,859 $35,445 $218,304 40
Richard Sherman Government Relations $177,910 $20,335 $198,245 40
Frederick Oelsner Information Technology $174,888 $17,868 $192,756 40
Amy Westerman Employee $136,636 — $136,636 40
Crystal Gitchell Employee $129,535 — $129,535 40
Danialle Lovik Employee $120,162 — $120,162 40
Kathleen Birch Employee $114,265 — $114,265 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

COVID-19 EIDL Loans

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (2020-2021)

1 loan

Total Borrowed

$150K

Subsidy Cost

$20K

14% of loan

Loan Count

1

Loan Details

$150,000
Subsidy: $20,430
Date Jun 24, 2020
Location Washington, DC
Borrower AMERICAN SHORT LINE AND REGIONAL RAILROAD ASSOCIATION

TO PROVIDE LOANS TO RESTORE AS NEARLY AS POSSIBLE THE VICTIMS OF ECONOMIC INJURY TYPE DISASTERS TO PRE-DISASTER CONDITIONS

Source: Small Business Administration • Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (2020-2021)

Lobbying Activity

Lobbying Disclosure Act registrations

Self-Lobbying
4 Registrations
3 Clients
Yes Self-Lobbying

Clients 3 total

American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association
2 filings
Self
American Short Line And Regional Railroad Association
1 filing
Self
American Short Line And Regional Railroad Assoc
1 filing
Self

Source: Senate Office of Public Records — Lobbying Disclosure Act

Contact

Get in touch with American Short Line & Regional

Phone

(202) 628-4500

Social

Visit Website
50 F Street NW 500 Washington, DC 20001