By Ben Fox Rubin Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWR) named David A. Brown as its chief operating officer, replacing James W. Benz, who is retiring from the railroad company in the beginning of 2013. Brown was chief operating officer of CSX Corp. (CSX) until recently, serving in that position beginning in 2010. He was also chief transportation officer for CSX from 2006 to 2010 and, prior to that, spent 25 years with Norfolk Southern Corp. (NSC). Benz founded Rail Link Inc., which was acquired by Genesee & Wyoming in 1996. He then built it up to the company's largest operating region. In 2005, he was named chief operating officer. Over the remainder of the year, Benz and Brown will work closely together to ensure a smooth transition, the company said. The operator of short-line and regional freight railroads has faced a steep decline in coal traffic as a glut of cheap natural gas continues to erode demand. Last month, the company said its first-quarter profit was flat, as weak coal shipments and the expiration of a tax credit put pressure on results. Shares closed Thursday at $49.99 and were inactive after hours. The stock down 17% so far this year. Write to Ben Fox Rubin at ben.rubin@dowjones.com
