Carl Warren Has Left North Carolina Railroad Company
The company's board of directors has initiated a national search for a new CEO following Warren's departure.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Do you trust the management of state-owned enterprises to prioritize the interests of your community?
Carl Warren has departed his role as CEO of the North Carolina Railroad Company. The board of directors reached a mutual agreement with Warren to part ways and has engaged Korn Ferry to lead the search for his successor.
Why it matters
As the state-owned firm manages vital infrastructure spanning 317 miles, this leadership transition comes as the company navigates significant federal funding and long-term rail improvement projects.
The company oversees 317 miles of track between Charlotte and Morehead City and has awarded $18.4 million in grants since 2017. Additionally, Warren's tenure saw the stimulation of $40.4 million in direct investments.
The players
Carl Warren
He served as the CEO of the North Carolina Railroad Company from August 2020 until his departure in 2026.
Malcomb Coley
He is a board member and liaison to the executive team who retired from the professional services firm EY in 2025.
North Carolina Railroad Company
This private, state-owned corporation manages 317 miles of rail infrastructure across the state of North Carolina.
Korn Ferry
This global organizational consulting firm has been hired to lead the national search for the company's next chief executive.
The details
Board member Malcomb Coley, who recently retired from EY, will serve as a liaison to the executive team while the search for a new leader is underway. The transition marks the end of Warren's leadership, which began in August 2020.
Timeline
The company began awarding grants in 2017.
Carl Warren joined the organization in August 2020.
Malcomb Coley retired from EY in June 2025.
The leadership change was officially announced on September 25, 2026.
Market Landscape
The leadership change reflects broader shifts in how state-owned infrastructure entities manage executive succession to maintain operational stability. This transition positions the firm to align its future leadership with the long-term federal funding objectives currently driving regional rail development.
The executive transition is not expected to disrupt ongoing rail improvement projects currently backed by $105.6 million in federal funding. Customers and stakeholders should anticipate continuity in operations as the board manages the transition via a dedicated executive liaison.
The takeaway
Maintaining steady leadership is critical for large-scale infrastructure projects that span decades and require consistent federal oversight. Stakeholders should monitor future board announcements to understand how the incoming CEO will prioritize the firm's long-term rail development strategy.
Further reading
Learn more about organizational leadership updates in the North Carolina People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Business North Carolina.
Live Poll
Do you trust the management of state-owned enterprises to prioritize the interests of your community?
