The proof is in our people.
With over 70 years of combined experience, the specialized team at Alleanza Rail provides customized solutions to meet your fleet needs. Through leadership and knowledge, the Alleanza team delivers the highest quality service in the rail industry. Our primary goal is to build an employee-driven company to provide long-term stability within our workforce.
MEET THE TEAM
Leo Ounanian, Jr.
Owner & President
Leo began his professional career as a Certified Public Accountant and is the entrepreneurial force behind Alleanza Rail, where he serves as President and Owner. With over three decades of business experience, Leo has demonstrated success in strategic leadership and operational management.
From 1992 to 2018, Leo started two integrated liquid waste services companies in Houston, TX, which he later successfully sold, showcasing his ability to build and scale businesses effectively. Following this, he assumed the role of Vice President of Business Development at American Allwaste Corp., and eventually recruited as CEO, where he has driven unification and stability, with an emphasis on operating efficiency and profitability.
Leo is dedicated to bringing his substantial expertise in safety and service to the forefront of the railcar repair industry. His leadership focuses on embedding top-tier safety protocols and delivering unparalleled service quality by focusing on the customer, aiming to set new standards in the industry.
Leo’s financial acumen and seasoned leadership ensure that Alleanza Rail not only meets but exceeds the expectations of its clients, prioritizing safety and reliability above all else. His vision is to innovate and lead with integrity, making Alleanza Rail a trusted partner in the rail services sector.
Anna Katherine Ray
Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Anna Katherine is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in sales, marketing, and business development across several industries. She currently serves as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Alleanza Rail. In her role, Anna Katherine is responsible for driving revenue growth, expanding market presence, and fostering strategic partnerships.
Beyond her role at Alleanza Rail, Anna Katherine is the owner of ARK Designs, a construction and design consultancy that she founded in 2006. ARK Designs specializes in residential and small-scale commercial projects, providing personalized and innovative solutions to her clients.
Anna Katherine’s passion for community service is exemplified through her volunteer efforts to help establish a Girls on the Run Gulf Coast council, located in Mobile, Alabama then leading in to acting Executive Director over the council. In this role, she excelled in advertising management, grant writing, diversity program development, marketing, and fundraising, making a lasting impact in the Mobile area community it served.
From January 2022 to May 2023, Anna Katherine also held the position of Vice President of Sales and Marketing for SDAC Rail Services, a minority owned, general construction and maintenance-of-way company located in Selma, Alabama.
Anna Katherine’s multifaceted career reflects her dedication to both professional excellence and community engagement.
Bill Huffman
Chief Operations Officer
Bill is a seasoned legal and rail services professional with 25 years of experience in the railcar repair and industrial switching industry. As the Chief Operations Officer at Alleanza Rail, Bill oversees all operational aspects of the company, ensuring excellence in service delivery and adherence to safety standards.
Before joining Alleanza Rail, Bill was the Founder and Vice President of RailConnection, an industrial switching company he led from 1999 to 2023. During this time, he also served as the Vice President of Transportation Services, primarily focusing on railcar repair operations. His leadership in these roles drove significant business growth and operational efficiency.
In 2008, Bill co-founded WheelWorx, a full-service freight car wheel set supplier with offices in Calera, AL, and Pekin, IL. His entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to quality have established WheelWorx as a reputable provider within the industry.
Bill’s career began in law, with a Juris Doctor (JD) and a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Finance from the University of Alabama. He practiced privately in Birmingham, AL, and served as an enforcement attorney for the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, DC. His legal expertise has been instrumental in navigating the regulatory landscape of the rail services industry.
Bill’s blend of legal acumen and extensive industry experience positions him as a leader committed to operational excellence, strategic growth, and customer satisfaction in the rail services sector.
Matt Hall
Vice President of Operations
Matt Hall is a rail industry professional with extensive experience spanning 18 years. Currently serving as Vice President of Operations at Alleanza Rail, Matt has made significant contributions in railcar repair, quality assurance and safety, demonstrating expertise in railcar maintenance and customized solutions for customers specific needs.
Matt started his career as a journeyman carman, prior to being promoted to a mechanical foreman position at BNSF Railway. His responsibilities included scheduling and managing the railcar repair facility in Birmingham, Alabama. Throughout his time in management at BNSF, his responsibilities grew to include derailment investigations and quality assurance auditing at several locations throughout the southeast. Matt was hired in February of 2010 by Transportation Services, Inc as a Plant Manager for their Plant Miller facility. Under his leadership the facility flourished in safety, production and quality breaking company records in each area. Many of the policies, designed and introduced by Matt, were brought to other Transportation Services facilities due to the positive impacts created at the Plant Miller facility.
Matt joined Alleanza Rail in October of 2023, bringing his high energy and passion to provide innovative solutions to an age-old industry.
Kareem Flemming
Director of Maintenance
Kareem Flemming is the Director of Maintenance at Alleanza Rail, bringing over 16 years of experience in the railcar industry. Before joining Alleanza Rail, Kareem held a key role at Transportation Services Inc., where he managed the repair and maintenance of Southern Company's rail fleet. In his current role, Kareem oversees all aspects of maintenance, repair, and facilities management, providing leadership and strategic direction to ensure the efficient operation of Alleanza Rail’s repair business. His expertise and guidance are essential to the company’s continued success and operational excellence.
Chris Wideman
Director of Transportation
Chris Wideman serves as the Director of Transportation at Alleanza Rail, bringing over 20 years of experience in the industrial switching business. In addition to managing all aspects of industrial switching, including designing and building operations to meet customer needs, Chris has extensive knowledge of locomotive operations. He has also developed and led training programs for locomotive operations, contributing to improved efficiency and safety. His expertise extends to hiring and retention of employees, day-to-day management, and strategic vision development, ensuring organizational growth and operational excellence at Alleanza Rail.