icon_widget_image U.S. Corporate Headquarters: P.O. Box 38 114 Main Street South Fordville, ND 58231 icon_widget_image (701) 299-3330 icon_widget_image Toll Free: (855) 567-7245 icon_widget_image NPR Canada: P.O. Box 1162 Camrose, Alberta, T4V 1X2 icon_widget_image (780) 608-9892 info@nprail.com
(855) 567-7245 info@nprail.com
A train parked at a train elevator
ABOUT OUR COMPANY

Who We Are

From our skilled executive and senior management team to our extensive service area, our experienced railroad experts are ready to serve you and your operation.

A Northern Plains Railroad train engine on a train track
WE ARE RAILROADERS

Providing railroad excellence since 1997.

Unparalleled experience and knowledge in the railroad industry, from a team committed to helping you find success. We put a high priority on safety and consistency, providing a variety of expert rail services and our own 350-mile railroad to clients near and far.

NORTHERN PLAINS RAILROAD COMPANIES

Our executive leadership team.

Our team has decades of experience working for and with the largest North American railroads, as well as short-line and industrial operators. This experience allows us to provide operational and safety excellence together with long-term value for our customers.

A headshot of Northern Plains Railroad Chairman Gregg F. Haug

Gregg F. Haug

Chairman – Northern Plains Rail Companies
Gregg Haug founded Northern Plains Railroad (NPR) in 1997. Since that time, he has negotiated the purchase of three additional lines from BNSF and directed the startup of each.
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A headshot of Northern Plains Railroad President/COO Jesse Chalich

Jesse J. Chalich

President/COO – NPRC
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A headshot of Northern Plains Railroad Executive VP Shawn Smith

Shawn I. Smith

Executive VP – NPRC, & President – NPR Canada
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A headshot of Northern Plains Railroad Executive VP of Marketing, Sales, and Corporate Development Dan Mack

Dan Mack

Executive VP Marketing, Sales & Corporate Development
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Tom Eide

Chief Financial Officer – NPRC
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NORTHERN PLAINS RAILROAD COMPANIES

Senior Leadership

Brent Bader

General Manager of Mechanical Services

Karl Carson

Director of Operations – Northern Plains Rail Services

Riley Ferguson

Facility Manager

Steven Fry

Superintendent Safety, Training, and Operating Practices

Todd Gullickson

General Manager – Northern Plains Railroad

Jerry Hegstrom

Vice President Track Construction and Maintenance Operations

Ben Liden

Superintendent Operations and Maintenance – Northern Plains Railroad

Derek Muir

Manager Projects and Planning – Northern Plains Rail Services

Paul Piehl

Manager Mobile Repair

Rick Spiering

Superintendent Car Repair, Terminals & Transloading – Northern Plains Rail Services

Jalene Suda

Director Human Resources

Daniel K. Watson

Director Industrial Rail Switching Operations

Gregg F. Haug
Chairman – Northern Plains Rail Companies

Gregg Haug founded Northern Plains Railroad (NPR) in 1997. Since that time, he has negotiated the purchase of three additional lines from BNSF and directed the startup of each. Together, these projects total nearly 350 route miles. Throughout the years, Mr. Haug has led the development of NPR sister companies that provide contracting services to the rail industry, including track construction, locomotive leasing and repair, training, and intra-plant switching. In addition, Mr. Haug has led NP’s expansion into rail car repair, which grew into three facilities. Further, Mr. Haug has enabled Northern Plains’ investments in Canadian Northern Plains Rail Services, Alberta Midland Railway Terminal, and Weyburn Industrial Transload.

Mr. Haug held management and executive positions at Canadian Pacific Railway and the SOO Line Railroad prior to founding NPR. He began his rail career over 35 years ago in Chicago, with the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad. Mr. Haug has an MBA from the University of Chicago. He has a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin, and is a licensed engineer.

Jesse J. Chalich
President/Chief of Operations – Northern Plains Rail Companies

Mr. Chalich leads the operations of all Northern Plains Rail Companies in the U.S. He is a career railroader and long-time employee of NPR, starting with the company during its inception as a Conductor. Prior to his promotion to President of NPR in 2013, Mr. Chalich led all NPR Marketing and Sales activities. He is a Board member of the American Association of Railroad Superintendents and the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth.

Shawn I. Smith
Executive Vice President – Northern Plains Rail Companies, & President & Chief Operating Officer – Canadian Northern Plains Rail Services

Joining the Northern Plains group in 2013, Mr. Smith is a long-time executive in both the North American Class 1 railroad industry and the short-line industry. In addition to leadership duties at NPRC, Mr. Smith leads the operations of NPR’s strategic partnership in Canada.

Dan Mack
Executive Vice President Marketing, Sales & Corporate Development

Mr. Mack joined Northern Plains in 2017 and is engaged in growing NP’s business across north America, and handling the company’s strategic development activities. Prior to joining NP, Mr. Mack had a respected career in the Agriculture industry, having started in railroad marketing & sales at Canadian Pacific.

Tom Eide
Chief Financial Officer – NPRC

Joining the Northern Plains group in 2023, Mr. Eide has extensive management experience in both private and public industry. He has served as Financial Controller, General Manager, VP Marketing, CEO, and CFO with several medium-sized businesses in North Dakota and Minnesota. He also spent two years at the State of North Dakota as CFO for the Department of Human Services.

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