PITTSBURGH — Railroad Development Corp. has appointed Ida Posner to chief operating officer, and appointed Nate Asplund, president of its Pop-Up Metro affiliate, to lead the integration of the recently announced joint venture between RDC and the UK’s Transport Design International.
Posner joined RDC in 2017 and has served as vice president, strategic planning, since 2020. She is a director of the Iowa Interstate Railroad, Eurorail, RDC-Deutschland, and the rail telematics venture RailPulse. In her new position, she will manage RDC’s internal operations while continuing to lead strategy and business development, the company said.
Asplund will move into a full-time role with the RDC/TDI venture announced earlier this year [see “Rail Development Corp, UK’s TDI Greenway announce …,” Trains News Wire, Feb. 26, 2025]. That venture brings together the Pop-Up Metro concept for low-cost rail transit with TDI’s Very Light Rail transit system. Expansion of the VLR project in Coventry, England, has been newly announced.
“In a pivotal year for Pop-Up Metro, we are focusing Nate’s expertise and industry connections on the successful merger and integration of the two companies,” said RDC Chairman Henry Posner III. “Working alongside our partners in the UK, we are confident in Nate’s ability to jump-start a number of near-term commercial opportunities.
“And in a pivotal year for RDC, we are taking advantage of Ida’s evolution as a leader who has earned respect at the industry level. With the increasing complexity of our environment and the opportunities facing us, her industry knowledge and wisdom will help us to strengthen and grow our portfolio of railroads and rail-related businesses.”
