R.J. Corman taps former BNSF executive Matt Igoe as chief operating officer

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. — Former BNSF Railway operations chief Matt Igoe has been named president and chief operating officer for R.J. Corman Railroad Co., effective immediately, the shortline holding company announced on Monday.

Igoe will assume responsibility for transportation, mechanical, engineering, and day-to-day network performance across the company’s 19 short lines. Igoe previously served as executive vice president of operations at BNSF Railway, a position he held since January 2021.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Matt to our executive team. His proven track record in the railroad industry is unparalleled, and we are confident that his vision and expertise will accelerate our growth and enhance our service offerings across the board. This is a game-changing moment for our company and for our customers,” said R.J. Corman Railroad Group CEO Justin Broyles said in a statement.

Before joining BNSF in 1998 as a management trainee, Matt served as an officer in the U.S. Army. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Canisius College and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

R.J. Corman said that “Igoe’s career – marked by rapid progression through key operational and strategic roles at BNSF, combined with his military leadership experience – uniquely positions him to drive excellence in safety, operational performance, and employee engagement across our organizations.”

“I’m excited to join R.J. Corman and lead a team that is passionate about safety, service, and innovation,” Igoe said in a statement. “My focus will be on delivering operational excellence, supporting our employees, and partnering with customers to create value. This is an incredible opportunity to build on R. J. Corman’s excellent reputation as a valued partner and help shape the future of short line railroading.”

R.J. Corman had announced the retirement of Ray Goss as president of R.J. Corman Railroad Co. last week [see “Goss, R.J. Corman …,” Trains.com, Dec. 29, 2025].

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