L.B. Foster names new rail chief as longtime executive retires
L.B. Foster Company (NASDAQ: FSTR) announced that Jason K. Bowlin has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Rail, effective August 1, 2026, succeeding Gregory W. Lippard, who has announced his intention to retire at year-end.
Bowlin, 44, previously served as Vice President of Global Friction Management and Rail Products. He will report to Bill Thalman, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Bowlin has held several roles at the Pittsburgh-based company since 2011, and prior to joining L.B. Foster, he worked at Toyota Motor North America and Yamaha Motor Corporation as an engineer. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.
Lippard, 58, notified the board of his retirement plans on July 28, 2026. He will transition to the role of Senior Vice President of Special Rail Projects on August 1, also reporting to Thalman, and will remain in that capacity through his retirement date of December 31, 2026. Lippard has been with the company since 1991 and has served as SVP of Rail since 2021.
Chief Executive Officer John F. Kasel credited both executives for their contributions to the company, while Chairman Raymond T. Betler noted Lippard's role in mentoring Bowlin during the transition.
