Contact: Rob Himoto, President
Phone: (805) 922-7941
Email: RHimoto@smvrr.com

The Santa Maria Valley Railroad Company announced the appointment of Brian Wampler as Chief Mechanical Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Wampler will be in charge of the Mechanical Department, overseeing the signal department, locomotive maintenance, and equipment maintenance. Mr. Wampler will report directly to General Manager Al Sheff.

Mr. Wampler is currently an advisory board member of Coast Belle Rail Corp., the parent of Santa Maria Valley Railroad Company, since 1997. Also Mr. Wampler has served on the Advisory Board’s strategic planning and policies committees since 2005.

Mr. Wampler was the owner of Star Automotive, an exclusive Mercedes Benz Automotive Repair Shop in San Luis Obispo, from its inception in 2006 to its recent closing in May culminating a successful 8 year run. Prior to Star Automotive, Mr. Wampler has served as Service Manager to several auto dealerships. Railroading is a family affair, Mr. Wampler’s brother Aaron Wampler is a signal maintainer instructor for Union Pacific Railroad.

In commenting on Mr. Wampler’s appointment Mr. Rob Himoto, President of Santa Maria Valley Railroad and President and Chairman of Coast Belle Rail Corp., said “Although Mr. Wampler has been employed in the automotive industry for the last 25 years, he has been closely involved with our business since 2005 and prior to that since 1997. Mr. Wampler understands the railroad business and our business inside and out. There are also parallels between the automotive repair industry and railroad industry, both are service businesses. Along with heading up the Mechanical Department, Mr. Wampler brings to the table other talents such as marketing, management, and business and property development. He will be a valuable asset to our company.”

The Santa Maria Valley Railroad offices and yard is located in the Betteravia Industrial Park at 2820 W. Betteravia Road, Santa Maria, California. The Santa Maria Valley Railroad is a 14 mile short line railroad interchanging with the Union Pacific Railroad at Guadalupe and serves the Santa Maria Valley. Transload facilities are also located at the Betteravia Industrial Park enabling Santa Maria Valley Railroad to serve customers in all of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. Santa Maria Valley Railroad customers can ship or receive shipments anywhere in North America that is served by our national railroad system. For freight shipping inquiries contact General Manager Al Sheff at (805) 922-7941 or visit our website at www.smvrr.com.