The Greenbrier Companies announced that CFO Mark J. Rittenbaum was promoted to the newly created position of executive vice president of Commercial, Leasing and Finance.

In the newly created position, Rittenbaum will shift his primary focus to commercial activities, with particular emphasis on new railcar sales, leasing and integration/enhancement of customer service design. Senior commercial officers William Glenn and Brian Comstock, as well as Jim Sharp, president of Greenbrier’s Leasing and Management Services business, will report to Rittenbaum.

“Greenbrier has built a tremendous go-to market strategy that serves its integrated business model and expanded world-wide activities. In the process, we have grown a very successful asset-light leasing and asset management business. We continue to add value solutions for our customers and shareholders, as our business becomes larger and adjusts to a changing environment,” said William A. Furman, chairman and CEO. “It is time to further integrate our commercial and leasing functions to better serve our goals of cost-efficient growth and service to our customers.”

Rittenbaum will also chair a newly created executive committee reporting to the Furman. The committee will be responsible for helping to frame policy over a wide range of business, administrative, financial and strategic areas, as well as streamlining service design and achieving service and cost synergies across the company. The committee will include Victoria McManus (executive vice president and chief strategic officer) and Martin Baker (senior vice president, general counsel and chief compliance officer.

“The executive committee will free up a substantial portion of my time to focus more on longer term strategies for Greenbrier, and to operate the company.” Furman said. “Global Manufacturing, the Wheels and Parts business, and GBW Railcar Services, a repair joint venture with Watco companies, will continue to report to me.”

In connection with this appointment, Lorie L. Tekorius, senior vice president and treasurer, was promoted to senior vice president, CFO and treasurer. Like Rittenbaum, Tekorius will report to Furman.

Tekorius has been with Greenbrier for over 20 years in various financial capacities.

“Mark and Lorie have done an excellent job at the financial helm of Greenbrier and have worked closely together for years. I’m confident we will continue our solid financial footing, and be well positioned for growth and change,” Furman said. “Lorie also has the discipline and company knowledge to help review, manage and adjust our general and administrative expense profile to appropriate levels during changing market environments.”

Adrian Downes, Greenbrier’s senior vice president and chief accounting officer, will report to Tekorius.

Greenbrier, headquartered in Lake Oswego, OR, is a supplier of transportation equipment and services to the railroad industry. Greenbrier builds new railroad freight cars in manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Mexico and Poland and marine barges at a U.S. manufacturing facility.