The RFAC provides guidance on rail freight-related issues to the governor, the secretary of transportation, members of the State Transportation Commission, and the General Assembly.

The five persons newly appointed by the governor are:

-- J. Clifford Forrest, president and owner, Rosebud Mining Company of Kittanning, Armstrong County, representing the coal industry.

-- James R. Hassinger, executive director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, representing regional/local planning commissions.

-- Michael J. Kocjanic, owner and operator of Michael J. Kocjanic Trucking, Inc., of Kane, McKean County, representing the forest products industry.

-- Russell A. Peterson, president of the Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad Company and the Allegheny Valley Railroad Company of Verona, Allegheny County, representing regional and short line railroads.

-- David Reid, president & CEO of Novolog Bucks County, Inc. of Fairless Hills, Bucks County, representing inter-modal transportation.

The nine persons reappointed by the governor are:

-- Richard F. Timmons, vice president - public affairs, Norfolk Southern Corporation, Harrisburg Division Office, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, representing class I railroads.

-- Stephen C. Thienel, regional vice president - State Relations, CSX Transportation, Baltimore, MD, representing class I railroads.

-- Jeffrey K. Stover, director, SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority, Lewisburg, Union County, representing regional and short line railroads.

-- Lawrence C. Malski, executive director and general counsel, Lackawanna County Railroad Authority, Scranton, Lackawanna County, representing regional and short line railroads.

-- John C. Schultz, president, Jersey Shore Steel Company, Jersey Shore, Lycoming County, representing the steel industry.

-- Harvey A. Weiner, president, Dependable Distribution Services, Inc., operating a cocoa bean transloading facility at the Port of Philadelphia, representing the food products/agriculture industry.

-- J. Michael Zaia, president, Subsidiary Railroads of Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Bethlehem, Northampton County, representing the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.

-- Richard J. Biery, regional planning program manager, Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission, Towanda, Bradford County, representing regional/local economic development groups.

-- Michael W. Krajovic, executive vice president, FAY-PENN Economic Development Council, Uniontown, Fayette County, representing regional/local economic development groups.

"Railroads and their intermodal transportation connections play an important role in building a strong jobs climate in Pennsylvania," Secretary Mallory said. "Transportation is an important ingredient in the economic- development mix. Keeping the freight railroads in good operating condition means we're keeping goods moving and supporting employers, jobs and families."

Mallory said the guidance and direction provided by the RFAC is helpful in developing state policy and funding recommendations. Dialogue between committee members, which include representatives of the rail industry, key rail shippers, the General Assembly and PENNDOT, is key to the success of Pennsylvania's rail freight assistance program.