Patriot Rail Expands Leadership Team with Two Executive Appointments

Katie Roller joins the executive team as Chief External Affairs Officer, a role created to centralize the company's public affairs and long-term business objectives. Roller brings two decades of transportation experience to the position, including a nearly 15-year tenure at CSX prior to her arrival at Patriot Rail in 2023.

Laura Mellem, who joins as Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Stakeholder Engagement, will report directly to Roller. Mellem brings 15 years of public-sector experience, having previously managed communications for the Port of New Orleans and the City of Minneapolis. At Patriot Rail, she will take charge of marketing efforts and oversee the company’s four excursion railways: the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, Granite State Scenic Railway, Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, and Gettysburg Railroad. CEO Brandy Christian noted that the appointments reflect the increasing strategic necessity of external engagement as the company continues to scale its operations across 23 states.