Richard “Rick” Bertel is the CEO of RGP Transit Group and Rio Grande Pacific Corporation (RGPC). While at Rio Grande Pacific, Rick has been active in the development and preparation of a wide variety of feasibility studies and economic and financial analysis for the rehabilitation, abandonment, acquisition and start-up of short line and regional railroad projects throughout the United States and abroad. He has also been responsible for the generation of engineering proposals and appraisals, cost/benefit analysis, budget estimates and bid documents for projects with Federal and State Funding participation. Prior to founding RGPC in 1986, Bertel helped co-found Trax Engineering & Associates, Inc., and served as president and chief operating officer for a regional railroad track rehabilitation and construction firm operating in Texas, Oklahoma, and the southwestern United States. In addition, he has been involved in shortline and regional start-ups, turnarounds, and transition management for both public and private railroad owners. Rick holds an MBA from Texas Christian University.