David L. Starling, a board member of The Greenbrier Companies, passed away at the age of 73. Starling was survived by his wife, Candace, and two sons, Zach and Jeff.

Starling served on Greenbrier’s board since 2017. Last month, Starling was reelected to a three-year term on Greenbrier’s board of directors with more than 98% of shareholder support. As a Greenbrier board member, Starling helped guide the company during its acquisition of the American Railcar Industries (ARI) manufacturing business. Starling also advised on Greenbrier’s response to the impacts wrought by COVID-19.

Greenbrier benefitted from Starling’s decades of experience as a railroader. He joined Greenbrier’s board after serving on the board of Kansas City Southern (KCS) for nearly seven years. From 2010 to 2016, Starling also served as president and CEO at KCS. In 2012, Starling received Railway Age’s prestigious Railroader of the Year award.

“For more than 40 years, Dave Starling was a railroader’s railroader and a well-respected leader in the rail industry. Dave brought Greenbrier’s Board deep industry experience from executive roles in the transportation business on multiple continents,” Thomas B. Fargo, board chair admiral at Greenbriar, said. “He was a champion of railroading, particularly in Mexico and Latin America. Dave assisted Greenbrier as we engaged with U.S., Canadian and Mexican policymakers during the negotiations that led to the USMCA in 2020. We deeply appreciate Dave’s numerous contributions to Greenbrier, especially his warm friendship, and offer our deepest condolences to Candace and his family.”