Ross Grantham – Partner
Ross Grantham, Partner at Arkadia Capital, is responsible for sourcing, due diligence, and operation of the company’s railroad, terminal, and port infrastructure investment opportunities.
Today, Mr. Grantham serves as Chief Operating Officer of Phoenix Rail, a short line railroad holding company, which Arkadia acquired in 2025 in a partnership with Ancala Partners.
Mr. Grantham has nearly 30 years of experience in the railroad industry, having worked for both Class I and Class III (short line) railroads. His work has focused on developing effective operating plans, reducing costs through the strategic management of safety, transportation, mechanical, and infrastructure departments, and executing value-added and industrial development initiatives.
Previously, in 2019, as a Partner at Arkadia (formerly Brookhaven), Mr. Grantham helped lead the acquisition of Pioneer Lines, Inc., the fourth-largest short line railroad holding company in the United States at the time, and went on to serve as its Chief Operating Officer. As COO of Pioneer, he oversaw all operating departments and played a critical role in reducing the company’s safety incident rate from 11 at the time of acquisition to zero. In recognition of this achievement, Mr. Grantham was awarded the 2022 Safety Professional of the Year by the ASLRRA.
Prior to his roles at Phoenix and Pioneer, Mr. Grantham held various operational positions at Canadian National Railway, OmniTRAX, Genesee & Wyoming, and Harbor Rail Services.
Mr. Grantham holds certifications as a locomotive engineer and conductor. Additionally, he has been an active member of the ASLRRA (American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association), AAR (Association of American Railroads), and AARS (American Association of Railroad Superintendents) throughout his career.