Title: Chief Executive Officer
Company: Eagle River Holdings
Location: Atlantic Beach, Florida, United States
John Fenton, Chief Executive Officer at Eagle River Holdings, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements and leadership in Transportation and Logistics.
Mr. Fenton, an accomplished leader in the transportation and logistics sector, currently serves as the chief executive officer of Eagle River Holdings. Since 2025, he has managed the development of rail yards and industrial parks, leading a team that identifies locations with supply chain gaps requiring rail service. Mr. Fenton’s expertise in business operations, cold storage warehousing, transload facilities and general warehousing has positioned him as a respected authority in the industry.
Before his pivotal move to Eagle River Holdings, Mr. Fenton was a senior advisor at Igneo Infrastructure Partners from 2024 to 2025. He also excelled at Patriot Rail as the president and chief executive officer between 2012 and 2024, where he became recognized for building a culture centered on safety and employee engagement, solidifying his reputation as a turnaround specialist.
Earlier, Mr. Fenton held the leading role of chief executive officer of Metrolink from 2010 to 2012. He was the sole candidate selected for this freight operator position at a time when the organization faced significant challenges, including poor safety records, low on-time performance and budget overruns. Within two years under his leadership, Metrolink underwent a remarkable transformation that garnered attention from the Los Angeles Times in 2011. Mr. Fenton’s efforts not only improved operational metrics but also established a new standard for safety and organizational culture within the railroad industry.
Among other influential opportunities throughout his career, Mr. Fenton was affiliated with CIH Partners as an operating partner, OmniTRAX Inc. as the president and chief executive officer, and Waste Management as its vice president. He also held the titles of vice president and general manager at Canadian National, overseeing critical aspects of rail operations, vice president of transportation at Kansas City Southern Railway, and superintendent of the Illinois Division at Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, dating back to 1990. Mr. Fenton’s foundational experience began as the manager of train operations for Union Pacific Railroad and Missouri Pacific Railroad between 1982 and 1990.
Beyond his primary work endeavors, Mr. Fenton has contributed his expertise as a board member for SignalRX Pharmaceuticals, demonstrating versatility beyond transportation by supporting innovation in other sectors. Earlier, he was appointed by the Secretary of Transportation to serve on a national coalition of transportation professionals from 2013 to 2014. As one of only two railroaders on the committee, Mr. Fenton contributed recommendations to the U.S. Congress alongside labor representatives, regulators and planners, a career highlight that allowed him to collaborate with diverse experts across the field.
Mr. Fenton’s educational background laid the groundwork for his leadership philosophy and technical acumen. He earned a Bachelor of Science in business management and transportation from Indiana University Bloomington in 1981. He later received a Master of Science in systems management with a minor in safety from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles in 1990.
Active in his professional community, Mr. Fenton is a member of the Railroad Superintendent Society and the National Safety Council. These organizations reflect his dedication to advancing industry standards. Beyond his corporate endeavors, Mr. Fenton is civically engaged as a volunteer with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and his local community and by coaching youth baseball. He is also committed to giving back through board service with organizations, such as the Diabetes Association, and is actively involved in mentoring emerging leaders within the industry.
Throughout his career spanning more than four decades, Mr. Fenton has been recognized for his commitment to safety and operational excellence. His professional achievements have been widely recognized with inclusion among Florida’s Most Influential by Florida 500 and by being featured in prominent publications, such as the Los Angeles Times, for his transformative work at Metrolink. Moreover, Mr. Fenton was honored to receive the CEOs Who Get It Award from the National Safety Council.
Mr. Fenton is presently collaborating with Distinguished Professor Najmedin Meshkati on developing comprehensive strategies for leading companies safely, an initiative aimed at improving safety practices across high-risk industries nationwide. He is also working with the University of Southern California on programs designed to enhance organizational safety culture and leadership development. Among other goals, Mr. Fenton continues to advocate for strong cultures that support both employee well-being and investor returns, principles that have defined his legacy as an ethical, value-driven leader who consistently strives to do what is right for both employees and organizations.
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