OmniTRAX Adds BNSF Railway Executive in Planned CEO Succession
BNSF Industrial Products Executive Colby Tanner Joins OmniTRAX CEO Dean Piacente to Power Rail Network’s North American Expansion
DENVER – April 2, 2025 – The Broe Group’s rail and real estate affiliate, OmniTRAX Inc., has named BNSF Railway (BNSF) sales and marketing executive Colby Tanner its new Chief Executive Officer. Tanner, an accomplished Class I rail executive whose career blends decades of rail and real estate leadership with industry giants BNSF Railway and Walmart, assumes his new role on April 15, 2025. Tanner will pair with current OmniTRAX CEO Dean Piacente to accelerate the company’s extensive 2025 growth initiatives prior to Piacente’s December retirement and his shift to the OmniTRAX Board of Directors.
“Colby’s real estate development expertise is the ideal complement to our rail and real estate logistics platform,” said The Broe Group Founder Pat Broe. “The current demand for domestic rail served sites is unprecedented and OmniTRAX continues to deliver award winning projects for industry leaders across North America. Colby’s dynamic real estate experience pairs perfectly with OmniTRAX Chairman David Garin’s BNSF Railway commercial relationships and Dean Piacente’s CSX Transportation expertise to create an unparalleled national knowledge network to drive company-wide growth.”
Tanner’s career accomplishments include the oversight of BNSF’s industrial products group as well as the management of billions of dollars in project site selection, construction, and real estate development. Colby began his career with the Missouri Department of Economic Development and broadened his industrial project site selection experience with Carter & Burgess. Tanner was tapped by Walmart to manage industrial development and retail expansion for nearly a decade before being appointed to oversee the western United States real estate footprint for Sam’s Club. Colby joined BNSF in 2015 and earned continued responsibility expansion, culminating with his 2021 ascent to Group Vice President for Industrial Products.
“Colby is well positioned to lead our immediate and long-term company growth,” said OmniTRAX Board Chairman David Garin. “His extensive real estate development expertise and proven Class I rail record provide tremendous resources to grow the OmniTRAX North American Rail Network. First and last mile rail service is essential to domestic rail growth and Colby will help us accelerate expanded rail access for the intense customer demand we are experiencing throughout North America.”
Tanner sees great opportunity in OmniTRAX’s entrepreneurial approach to bringing customers to rail through the company’s fully integrated rail and real estate development capacity. Paired with the rail network’s customer-centric culture and its industry-leading safety performance, Colby sees limitless potential for OmniTRAX.
“OmniTRAX is the fastest growing domestic railroad for good reason. Their growth strategy, resources, and leadership are unique,” said OmniTRAX CEO Colby Tanner. “The competitive benefits of pairing rail and real estate are undeniable. At BNSF Railway, I have seen its powerful impact on supply chains across industry and I am excited to lead a company that recognizes this transformative power.”
The Missouri native holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Missouri as well as a Master of Arts degree from Missouri State University. Colby and his family will relocate to Colorado, OmniTRAX’s corporate headquarters.