Clarkdale, AZ – Today, the Arizona Central Railroad (AZCR) announces it has appointed Brett Wallace as General Manager of freight services in Clarkdale, Arizona.
In this role, Wallace will oversee the freight operations for the 38-mile Clarkdale to Drake, Arizona, rail line, working closely with their existing shipping customers, as well as pursuing future business. Brett brings 17 years of railroad experience that started in Eunice, New Mexico, as a maintenance-of-way (MOW) laborer. With a strong work ethic, ambition and a respectful devotion to the railroad industry, Brett has been able to advance in a career that he loves. In 2017, Brett became general manager of the Cimarron Valley Railroad in southwestern Kansas, which at the time, was a railroad partner to Clarkdale Arizona Central Railroad under The Western Group umbrella. Over the course of four years, Brett developed a formidable team focusing on safety, federal compliance and, above all, customer service.
Brett grew up in Matador, Texas, a small town located northeast of Lubbock, with a population just shy of 800 residents. His father worked in law enforcement, his mother worked in the medical field, and his maternal grandparents owned the local beauty and barber shop. Brett will tell you, “The small-town life was great, but I wanted to venture out and make a name for myself, building a career with the knowledge and ethics I learned over the years from my parents and grandparents.”
Wallace enthusiastically shared, “I’m blessed with two beautiful daughters, Rylee, a 12-year-old 7th grader, and Emory, an 8-yer-old 3rd grader. They are my world and makes me the proudest dad every day. In 2016, I met my wife Cassidy Carman, of course, at a railroad. Lubbock and Western Railway was presenting The Polar Express and Cassidy was working as a conductor. In our free time we like to be outdoors, work on old cars or trucks and just spend time together as a family.”
Wallace has lofty goals for Clarkdale Arizona Central Railroad. Safety is the number one priority as the team leader, but as a team-player, the focus on strong compliance and customer relations that creates a safety culture must be fueled by the efforts of all team members. In addition, the ability to grow the freight business along this line and provide cost-effective transportation within the Verde Valley will mean cultivating local relationships with shipping needs that exist in the Sedona/Verde Valley area.
“Brett brings extensive knowledge regarding railroad compliance programs and regulations that will continue to build positive relationships with federal and state regulators, as well as current and future customers. His proven history of building cross-functional and collaborative efforts within the freight railroad industry is a strong part of his experience that will further strengthen our rail line,” said owner Dave Durbano.
Clarkdale Arizona Central Railroad and Verde Canyon Railroad continue to expand their contribution to Verde Valley economic development by respecting present business, improving sales and profitability, and investing in fresh business opportunities and strategic acquisitions.