Barnes Tapped to Lead Canton Development Company

Paul A. Barnes, President and CEO, Canton Development Company (Canton Development Company Photographs)

Paul A. Barnes on May 1 joined Canton Development Company as President and CEO. He also serves on the holding company’s Board of Directors and as chief executive of its subsidiaries, Canton Railroad and Freestate Logistics Services, Inc. of Maryland.

Barnes succeeds John C. Magness, who on June 30 will retire after 27 years of service.

Barnes has 30 years of logistics experience, including 27 years in the railroad industry at CSX in Jacksonville, Fla.; Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad in North Carolina; and Genesee & Wyoming Railroad in Rochester, N.Y.

“We are fortunate to have someone following my tenure that has the background and experience of Paul,” Magness said. “The company is well positioned to move forward with his leadership.”

Canton Railroad is a Class III with offices in Baltimore. Freestate Logistics Services, Inc. is a contract rail carrier serving the Principio Business Park in Perryville.