The InStar Group announces a Leadership Transition: Umesh Choksi named Chairman, John O’Bryan appointed Chief Executive Officer and President
Parsippany, NJ – February 1, 2026 – The InStar Group, a leading North American railcar lessor, today announced a planned leadership transition. Umesh Choksi, who served as Chief Executive Officer and President since the company’s founding, will assume the role of Chairman of the Board. Succeeding him as CEO and President will be John O’Bryan, effective February 1, 2026,
Umesh established InStar and has taken the company through a period of significant growth and transformation. As Chairman, he will continue to provide strategic guidance and leadership to the company and its Board.
“It has been an honor to serve as CEO of the InStar Group said Umesh Choksi. “I am proud of what our team has accomplished, and I look forward to supporting John and the company’s continued success in my new role as Chairman.”
John O’Bryan joined the InStar Group in January 2025 as Chief Commercial Officer. He has over 35 years of experience in the rail industry, and his experience is concentrated in the railcar leasing and manufacturing market. Previously, John served as CEO of A. Stucki Company, a leading railcar parts and service company. Before A. Stucki, he served as President and CEO of American Rail Industries, a prominent North American designer, manufacturer and lessor of railcars, and prior to that, he served as President and CEO of American Railcar Leasing, a railcar leasing company with over 40,000 railcars. Early in his career, he served in commercial and operating leadership roles at CSX Corporation, a class 1 railroad.
John commented “Umesh has led the group from its founding through an impressive growth period. We are grateful for his contributions, and I am excited to build on that legacy as the new CEO of the InStar Group. I look forward to working with our talented team to drive continued success for our customers, employees, and shareholders.”
