In July, R.J. Corman Railroad Group executive Michael J. Donfris is expected to become the new chief financial officer of transportation manufacturing corporation Greenbrier Companies, the Lake Oswego, Oregon-based company announced May 21.
Donfris is expected to start as senior vice president of finance for Greenbrier before officially becoming CFO and principal financial officer in July when the company files its Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter that ends on May 31, according to Greenbrier.
Donfris, who was chosen following a national search, had served as CFO since 2020 for R.J. Corman, a Kentucky-based firm that operates short line railroads and offers various railroad services.
He has almost four decades of experience in corporate accounting and finance, including about eight years in the rail and rail supply industry. At R.J. Corman, Donfris helped to develop a multi-year strategic plan and close various transactions, including railroad acquisitions.
He also held senior finance positions at TrinityRail, where he served as vice president of finance and chief accounting officer. There he led efforts to raise cash flow and revenues and helped the rail business develop its growth strategy and improved capital structure, according to Greenbrier.
Greenbrier’s Chief Executive Officer and President Lorie Tekorius said Donfris brings deep experience leading financial operations and enacting strategy at major industrial businesses, including those operating in rail freight and equipment markets.
“He has a strong record of driving financial performance, optimizing business processes and delivering results,” Tekorius said.
