Rail consultant returns to lead South Carolina short line

Palmetto Railways has selected Tarek Ravenel to serve as the company's next president and chief executive officer, according to a report from FreightWaves. Ravenel is scheduled to take over the leadership role on September 8, 2026. He will succeed Patrick McCrory, the current head of the organization who has held the top position since 2022. The appointment marks a return for Ravenel, who previously spent nearly ten years at the short-line operator in various management and project leadership roles.

Ravenel transitions back to the Charleston-based railway from the engineering firm HDR, where he managed freight rail market strategies for the eastern United States. His background includes overseeing logistics and infrastructure projects for major Class I railroads, ports, and public transportation agencies. During his previous tenure at Palmetto, Ravenel served on the senior management team as a director of special projects. McCrory noted that Ravenel possesses a deep familiarity with the railroad's internal operations and its statewide economic partnerships.

The state-owned carrier currently maintains approximately 90 miles of track providing critical links to major rail providers CSX and Norfolk Southern. Beyond its existing operations at the Port of Charleston, the company is managing several expansion efforts. These include the creation of a 25-mile industrial line in Berkeley County and the building of a new 118-acre intermodal facility on a former naval site. Ravenel stated he is "honored to lead this outstanding organization" as it continues to develop infrastructure to support regional commerce.