Former Alliant Energy executive named CEO of rail construction firm

The former director of electric and gas services/power plants and generation at Alliant Energy in Cedar Rapids has been named chief executive officer of Colo Railroad Builders, a Chicago-based railroad contruction and maintence firm.

Paul Treangen, who left Alliant Energy in June, was president of Alliant Energy Transportation from 1987 to 2007. Alliant Energy Transportation is a holding company that operates the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway (CRANDIC), Williams Bulk Transfer, Barge Services, Railcar Services, and Transfer Services.

 Treangen has served on the boards of directors of the Iowa Interstate Railroad, the Iowa Northern Railroad, the Heartland Rail Corp. and the American Shortline and Regional Railroad Association.

Colo Railroad Builders is a full service railroad contractor providing production tie, rail, and industrial railroad construction and maintenance services to short line, Class I and industrial railroad clients.  Founded in 1979, the privately-owned company serves 32 states with offices in Chicago and Geneseo, Ill.,  and Brownsville and Lubbock, Texas. 

Frank Condurelis, managing director of L.A. Colo LLC, corporate parent of Colo Railroad Builders, said in a statement that the organization is pleased to have Treangen as chief executive officer.

"Paul has led and grown organizations of all sizes including rail operations, multimodal transportation and utility operations and brings unparalleled experience and skills to Colo," Condurelis said. "Bringing him on is a key next step for us as we pursue our strategy of growing Colo by offering the best in the industry in safety, quality, and customer value to existing and new clients."