The Board of Directors of FreightCar America, Inc. has appointed Christopher (Chris) J. Eppel vice president finance, chief financial officer and treasurer, effective April 23, 2019. Eppel succeeds Matthew Kohnke, who has left FreightCar America to pursue new business opportunities but will assist with providing transition support over the next several weeks.
Eppel joins the company with more than 20 years of experience in finance, manufacturing, IT and operations. Since November 2015, he served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of AZEK Company, a privately owned manufacturer of specialty building products. Prior to joining AZEK, Eppel served as vice president and chief financial officer of Allied Specialty Vehicles (now REV Group, Inc.) from 2013 to 2015 and as corporate controller and vice president of Perrigo Company plc from 2006 to 2013. He also served in finance and business development roles at Danaher Corporation and Honeywell International Inc.
Eppel earned a Master’s in business administration from Indiana University and a Bachelor’s in economics and accounting from the University of Michigan.
“We are excited to welcome Chris to our team. He is a highly accomplished CFO with an extensive background in manufacturing turnarounds, cost reduction and strategic growth,” said FreightCar America President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Meyer. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would also like to thank Matt Kohnke for his many contributions to the Company during his three years with us and we wish him well in his future endeavors.”