Gary Laffoon

Background

About Gary Laffoon

With over 24 years of experience in economic development, Corporate Site Selection and Industrial Rail Development, I am passionate about creating opportunities for companies and communities in the industrial sector. In my most recent position as Director of Strategic Programs at BNSF Railway, I led the site selection, acquisition, and development of BNSF Logistics Centers and Parks throughout the United States. I leveraged my strong communication, project management, and real estate skills to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, facilitate negotiations and contracts, and oversee the planning and execution of complex projects. Prior to my current role, I was the Regional Manager of Economic Development at BNSF Railway, where I assisted industries in south Texas to expand or locate along the BNSF system. I also worked as a Senior Manager of Economic Development at JLL, where I was a contractor within the BNSF headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. In these roles, I successfully attracted and supported multiple industries, such as energy, manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics, to utilize rail service and access the BNSF network.