Statement on the passing of former Greenbrier board member Oregon Governor Vic Atiyeh

LAKE OSWEGO, Ore., July 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (NYSE:GBX) joins all of Oregon in expressing its condolences to the family of Victor G. ("Vic") Atiyeh, our former Governor and past member of Greenbrier's board of directors.  Atiyeh died late Sunday at the age of 91.  He is remembered as a two-term Governor who helped shape the modern economy of Oregon, where Greenbrier continues to grow and prosper to this day.

Atiyeh completed eight successful years as Governor from 1979-1987 that were preceded by decades of impactful service in the Oregon Legislature.  During his tenure as Governor, Atiyeh helped preserve Gunderson, a manufacturing institution on the Portland Harbor since 1919, by sponsoring debt financing provided by Oregon's Public Employees Retirement System to assist Greenbrier's acquisition of Gunderson.  Gunderson presently employs more than 1,000 people building freight railcars and marine barges and serves as Greenbrier's flagship manufacturing facility.  Years later, Atiyeh served on Greenbrier's board of directors from 1994-2008 and as the Company's first "Emeritus" board member from 2008-2013. 

"Vic served Greenbrier with the same grace, determination and wit that he brought to his public service for the people of Oregon over nearly three decades in elected office.  We remember Vic as a great champion of Greenbrier who encouraged us to focus on clear goals and to act boldly, and who warmly celebrated our shared achievements with us," said William A. Furman, Chairman and CEO. "Vic was quoted as saying; 'It's amazing how much you can get done if you don't care who takes credit for it.'  This sentiment guides Greenbrier today and into the future as we continue on the path to success and excellence that Vic helped guide us along during his many years of distinguished service with Greenbrier.  We deeply appreciate Vic's numerous contributions to Greenbrier."

About Greenbrier

Greenbrier, (www.gbrx.com), headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, is a leading supplier of transportation equipment and services to the railroad industry. We build new railroad freight cars in our 4 manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Mexico and marine barges at our U.S. manufacturing facility.  Greenbrier also sells reconditioned wheel sets and provides wheel services at 9 locations throughout the U.S.  We recondition, manufacture and sell railcar parts at 4 U.S. sites.  Greenbrier is a 50/50 joint venture partner with Watco Companies, LLC in GBW Railcar Services, LLC which repairs and refurbishes freight cars at 38 locations across North America, including 14 tank car repair and maintenance facilities certified by the Association of American Railroads. Greenbrier builds new railroad freight cars and refurbishes freight cars for the European market through our operations in Poland. Greenbrier owns approximately 8,300 railcars, and performs management services for approximately 235,000 railcars.

SOURCE The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (GBX)