Railroad grant writing and consulting service expands
Rail industry executive Tom Loftus has joined FMW Solutions LLC (“FMW”) as its Director of Finance and Operations. With almost 30 years in short line railroad finance and management consulting, Loftus will provide short line and industrial railroad clients with financial, strategic planning, and grant writing services under FMW's consulting division National Rail Consulting Group (“NRCG”).
“Tom’s expertise in railroad finance, strategic planning, grant writing, and business development will be of substantial benefit to both our client base and our firm,” explained FMW President Davidson Ward. “As our firm continues to diversify, Tom’s skills in management and operations will be leveraged to support the meaningful expansion of our business. We are thrilled he opted to join our team.”
“FMW has worked with Mr. Loftus for many years as an independent consultant, utilizing his vast expertise in the areas of CRISI and BUILD Grant Writing, along with RRIF Loan Applications. Over the past few years, NRCG has leveraged its experience in Federal grant writing services to support multiple clients in pursuit of assistance. Mr. Loftus has supported multiple successful railroad grant applications, most recently assisting NRCG in authoring a successful $14.7 million CRISI grant application on behalf of the Redevelopment Authority of Berks County to fund renovations to the Colebrookdale Railroad’s bridges, tracks, and transload facilities.
To learn more about FMW Solutions or National Rail Consulting Group, visit fmwsolutions.com and www.nationalrailconsulting.com. Our team can also be reached at 423-425-9753 and info@fmwsolutions.com.
TOM LOFTUS – DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCE
As Director of Operations and Finance, Tom Loftus will lead finance, consulting, strategic planning, and grant writing, as well as provide consulting support for FMW, the National Rail Consulting Group, and its clients.
Mr. Loftus is a former railroad leader with extensive experience in corporate finance, acquisitions, and financial management. He has particular strengths in the areas of valuation of acquisition targets, corporate finance, financial risk management, financial planning and analysis, and financial management. He has been part of Financial Advisory teams to the US Federal Railroad Administration, where he was responsible for evaluating passenger and freight railroads and rail transit systems applying for multi‐million US dollar loans under the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program (“RRIF”). In this role he has performed due diligence on multiple loan requests.
Mr. Loftus has also represented applicants seeking RRIF loans. For these engagements, Mr. Loftus led teams assisting clients with preparing RRIF loan applications, including the development of business plans and financial projection models required by the RRIF loan application. He has served on a number of international project teams including the World Bank‐financed restructuring of the railway system of Azerbaijan and was a senior key professional on a team hired by the Romanian state‐owned railway companies to conduct an analysis of the financial status of the companies and recommend strategies for improving profitability and overall financial health.
Most recently he served on teams supporting JICA‐financed passenger mass transit railway development efforts in Jakarta, Indonesia, as well as supporting projects involving Indian Railways. He previously served as Senior Vice‐President and Treasurer for Genesee & Wyoming Inc. a freight rail holding company with U.S. and international operations. Mr. Loftus holds an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and a BA in English from the University of Virginia.