The Greenbrier Companies, a supplier of transportation equipment and services to the railroad industry, has appointed Adrian Downes as senior vice president and chief accounting officer. Downes will be responsible for directing all global corporate and operational accounting activities in addition to information technology and tax planning functions.

Downes joins Greenbrier with nearly 30 years of accounting and finance experience, most recently having served as executive vice president and chief financial officer at early childhood education provider Knowledge Universe.

Previously, Downes held various senior financial executive positions with several companies, including grocery retail and supplies services company SUPERVALU; supermarket operator Albertson's; clothing retailer Gap; and telephone service provider Pacific Telesis. He began his public accounting career at PwC.