Education Sessions
ASLRRA's 2023 Conference will offer 12 educational tracks. Click on a track name below to see the sessions affiliated with each track (topics, speakers and times are subject to change):
ENGINEERING AND MAINTENANCE OF WAY
Tuesday, April 4 – 8:00 a.m. – Room 208
DESCRIPTION:
Beginning in July 2020, Genesee & Wyoming partnered with Rotor-Blade to execute vegetation management using a helicopter, cutting 194 miles of right of way on the New England Central Railroad Amtrak Vermonter route. Since its launch, several additional G&W railroads have implemented helicopter vegetation management. Enhanced safety, efficiency, and productivity makes the helicopter method of vegetation management a value-added asset to railroads. This presentation will speak to the history, safe practices, productivity, management, and scheduling, as well as continued process improvements, and attendees will learn how the introduction of helicopter vegetation management can improve results on a railroad.
MODERATOR:
Lucas J. Brewer, Geographic Discipline Leader, Bergmann / Colliers Engineering & Design
SPEAKERS:
Todd Dragland, VP, Engineering, Genesee & Wyoming Railroad
Brian Cutler, Director of Engineering, Genesee & Wyoming Railroad
Chuck Anderson, Vice President, Rotor-Blade
Randy Jernigan, Director of Operations/Chief Pilot, Rotor-Blade
Monday, April 3 – 3:40 p.m. – Room 208
DESCRIPTION:
This session will review the replacement of a double track through-truss bridge in downtown St. Louis using accelerated construction. The existing bridge was a 150-foot double track, through-truss over a three lane city street. The challenge was to remove and replace the existing bridge with minimum track outages in a confined urban area. The new design called for the foundation and substructure to be constructed before the existing bridge superstructure was removed. Helical piles were used as a cost effective foundation solution that could be used in a low overhead situation. The project was a design build which allowed for the designer and contractor to work together to make the project successful.
MODERATOR:
Michael Atzert, Rail Project Manager, Burns & McDonnell
SPEAKERS:
Allen Smith, Project Manager, Crawford, Murphy and Tilly
Jared Wigger, Project Engineer, Crawford, Murphy and Tilly
Eric Fields, Chief Engineer, Terminal Railroad
Monday, April 3 – 1:10 p.m. – Room 208
DESCRIPTION:
Unfortunately, FAMES has reviewed some fatalities on short lines. What have we learned specific to short lines? What comanalities were discovered? Attend this session to see what short lines can do to assist in the prevention of future roadway worker fatalities.
MODERATOR:
Kyle Kellem, Roadmaster/Emergency Manager, Tacoma Rail
SPEAKERS:
JR Gelnar, Vice President, Safety and Complaince, ASLRRA
David Kannenberg, Railroad Administrator, Safety Management Team 2, Federal Railroad Administration
Sponsored by:
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
Monday, April 3 – 4:35 p.m. – Room 214
DESCRIPTION:
Join ASLRRA's Young Professionals and Finance Committees for a panel discussion to discuss financial planning and learn how to jump start your financial goals in the early to mid-stages of your career
MODERATOR:
Nicole Teska, Partner, Bowers and Company CPAs
SPEAKERS:
Robert Auditore, Senior Vice President CAPTRUST
Kevin Visconti, Partner Diversified Capital Management
Monday, April 3 – 1:10 p.m. – Room 214
DESCRIPTION:
Update on the current state of the economy and the key drivers. What does the road ahead look like and where are the opportunities?
SPEAKER:
Dan Heckman, National Investment Consultant, US Bank
Tuesday, April 4 – 8:00 a.m. – Room 217
DESCRIPTION:
This session will cover the most current, pressing financial issues impacting the short line railroad industry and include an update from Mickelson & Company on current work being done with states and their railroad tax credits, as well as state incentives for new and expanded industrial sites served by short line railroads. The session will also focus on the cost impacts of employee retention and recruitment.
SPEAKERS:
Mark Mickelson, President, Mickelson & Company
Ryan Pidde, Vice President, Mickelson & Company
Brian Walsh, VP of Sales and Marketing, Vista National Insurance Group, a Division of Brown and Brown
Monday, April 3 – 2:05 p.m. – Room 214
DESCRIPTION:
This session will cover how to determine how much your business is worth and what tax impacts to consider when selling.
SPEAKER:
Rick Tidd, Partner, Bowers and Company CPAs
Teryl Tidd, Tax Manager, Bowers and Company CPAs
Sponsored by:
HUMAN RESOURCES
Monday, April 3 – 1:10 p.m. – Room 211
DESCRIPTION:
Hear about current labor and employment legal topics and trends from 2022 and what to be on the lookout for in 2023. This session will benefit operating and staff officers alike, including representatives from Human Resources, Chief Financial Officers, and in-house legal counsel. Presenters will discuss key employment-related decisions issued over the past year as well as other key labor and statutory developments. The session will include an open question and answer portion.
SPEAKERS:
Tracey Donesky, Partner, Stinson, LLP
Charlie Woodcock, Senior Labor Relations Consultant, F&H Solutions Group
Monday, April 3 – 2:05 p.m. – Room 211
DESCRIPTION:
During this session, experts from the FRA will discuss workforce develoment funding, opportunities, challenges, and available tools and resources for railroads preparing grant requests. Representatives from ASLRRA and Iowa Northern Railway will also share insights and lessons learned from their recent experience in writing, receiving and implementing a successful workforce development grant from the FRA.
MODERATOR:
Andrea Malter, Chief Human Resources Officer, OmniTRAX
SPEAKERS:
Monique Stewart, Special Assistant to the FRA Administrator, Senior Program Manager/Mechanical Engineer/Workforce Development Program Lead, Federal Railroad Administration
Dr. Shala Blue, Engineering Psychologist, Federal Railroad Administration
Mark Vaughn, Assistant General Manager, Iowa Northern Railway Company
JR Gelnar, VP, Safety & Compliance, ASLRRA
Sabrina Waiss, SVP, Education & Business Services, ASLRRA
Monday, April 3 – 4:35 p.m. – Room 211
DESCRIPTION:
How do we build and cultivate the next generation of railroaders? Please join the LRW in a panel discussion with Class I leaders about how we, as an industry, can provide networking and mentoring opportunities to our employees from within. Come learn, listen, and ask your questions about what employee resource groups are all about and how you can start to provide resources for groups within the rail industry or your company.
MODERATOR:
Erika Brunhke, VP, Training, RailPros
SPEAKERS:
Andrea Niethold, Director of Government Affairs, CN
Jacqueline Peets, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Norfolk Southern
Susan Marines, Vice President, Global Talent, GATX
Tuesday, April 4 – 8:55 a.m. – Room 211
DESCRIPTION:
The Human Resources Roundtable is a discussion group designed to help you navigate through your remote work/hybrid challenges. Discussion topics based on the following HR topics: advantages or disadvantages to hybrid work, HR for remote workers (compliance and policy), effectively managing remote work — driving an engaged culture and productivity. Anyone managing employees, hiring new staff or those with HR duties and responsibilities within their role should attend! Each table will have an assigned a HR member to moderate discussion topics; however within that topic, participants will decide specific content to be discussed that day.
MODERATOR:
Michael Davis, Director of Human Resources, Lake State Railway Company
SPEAKERS:
Bobbi Allen, Director, Human Resources, Iowa Interstate Railroad, Ltd.
Shae LeDune, VP, Human Resources & Regulatory Compliance, Indiana Rail Road Company
Andi Malter, Chief Human Resources Officer, OmniTRAX
Susan McBroom, Director Human Resources, Patriot Rail
Sponsored by:
LEGAL
Monday, April 3 – 3:40 p.m. – Room 210
DESCRIPTION:
This session will provide a review of all of the relevant cases and issues before the Surface Transportation Board (STB).
SPEAKERS:
David Rifkind, Partner, Stinson LLP
Monday, April 3 – 2:05 p.m. – Room 210
DESCRIPTION:
This session will provide an overview of the Carmack Amendment, including its implications for short line railroads with respect to LOL (limitation of liability) and best practices for price lists and paperwork, including bills of lading. We’ll then delve into a discussion of a successful recent real-life experience litigating the validity of an LOL against all odds in federal court.
SPEAKER:
Mimi Dennis, Counsel, Crowell and Moring
Charlie Swarwtout, Partner, Reifers, Holems & Peters
Tuesday, April 4 – 8:55 a.m. – Room 210
DESCRIPTION:
This session will address issues involving broadband deployment over railroad property, including politics and questions of federal preemption.
SPEAKER:
John Scheib, Partner, Gentry Locke
Tuesday, April 4 – 10:00 a.m. – Room 210
DESCRIPTION:
Join FRA Chief Counsel Allison Fultz for a discussion of new funding programs and significant developments at the Federal Railroad Administration.
SPEAKER:
Allison Fultz, Chief Counsel, Federal Railroad Administration
Sponsored by:
LEGISLATIVE & REGULATORY
Monday, April 3 – 3:40 p.m. – Room 212
DESCRIPTION:
Join grant writing/implementation specialists for a discussion about federal grant opportunities, including pre-award and grant preparation best practices.
MODERATOR:
Richard Sherman, Assistant Vice President, Policy and Industry Affairs, ASLRRA
SPEAKER:
Lucas Brewer, Geographic Discipline Leader, Bergmann
Kevin Keller, Vice President & Intermodal Transportation Practice Leader, HDR
Adam Nordstrom, Principal, Viking Navigation
Monday, April 3 – 4:35 p.m. – Room 212
DESCRIPTION:
Join us for a discussion about the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) federal grant program - where it's been, current updates, and the road ahead.
SPEAKERS:
Wynne Davis, Senior Advisor for Regional Outreach, Office of Rail Development, Federal Railroad Administration
Deborah Kobrin, Transportation Industry Analyst, Federal Railroad Administration
Mara Stark-Alcala, Transportation Industry Analyst, , Office of Rail Development, Federal Railroad Administration
Sponsored by:
MARKETING
Monday, April 3 – 1:10 p.m. – Room 213
DESCRIPTION:
Join popular speaker Tony Hatch for an engaging discussion and review of what happened in 2022, plus a preivew of what's on the horizon for the rail industry and the US economy in the year ahead.
MODERATOR:
Dave Long, Twin Cities & Western Railroad Co.
SPEAKER:
Tony Hatch, Analyst, ABH Consulting
Monday, April 3 – 2:05 p.m. – Room 213
DESCRIPTION:
In this session the speakers will discuss evaluating and selecting sites and developing sites into locations suitable for industrial development and attractive to potential rail shippers. What are key site selection and development items to consider, and who can or should you work with or partner with, including government entities, development companies and consultants?
MODERATOR:
Dave Long, Twin Cities & Western Railroad Co.
SPEAKERS:
Jason Kester, Regional Development Director, Ohio Valley Office, Agracel, Inc.
Tom Tisa, Head of Business Development, CSX
Tuesday, April 4 – 8:55 a.m. – Room 213
DESCRIPTION:
All short lines are interested in growth. That growth rests in large part on the perception of customers that use our rail services. Speakers on this panel have been invited to address three key elements: One, what specific things do short lines do well today that they encourage us to build upon (what sets us apart from their other options)? Two, what are some specific things within our control that stand in the way of short lines earning more of the customer’s business? Three, as they look to the next few years, what changes are they watching for that may impact their decisions about growing together?
MODERATOR:
Shasta Duffey, VP, Marketing & Sales, Lake State Railway Company
SPEAKERS:
Chris Fetters, CEO, Louisiana 23 Development Company
Jack Fernandez, Director of Operations, BWC Terminals
Blake Chatagnier, Regional Manager, Operations, BWC Terminals
Jason Strickland, Rail Operations Manager/Supply, Vertex
Sponsored by:
MECHANICAL
Tuesday, April 4 – 8:55 a.m. – Room 209
DESCRIPTION:
The first hour of this session will discuss the emission requirements for locomotives especially Tier locomotives and proper reporting for the SmartWay program. The second hour will be a panel of short line experts discussing all aspects of maintenance, repair and regulatory requirements.
MODERATOR:
Joe Bentrup, Mechanical Superinendent, Terminal Railroad Association
SPEAKERS:
Roger Fuehring, Chief Mechanical Officer, Lake State Railway
John Gravenkemper, Regional Sales Manager, Hatch & Kirk
Justin Moon, Chief Mechanical Officer, Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad
Tracy Ulm, Chief Mechanical Officer, Rio Grande Pacific Corporation
Monday, April 3 – 4:35 p.m. – Room 209
DESCRIPTION:
FRA will be presenting regarding requirements of Part 215 and common findings on short lines. This session will assist short lines with proper identification of defections and proper repairs.
MODERATOR:
Christine Benson, Director, Customer Relations & Operational Support, Harbor Rail Services Company
SPEAKER:
Marty Cox, MP&E Inspector, FRA
Sponsored by:
SAFETY & OPERATIONS
Monday, April 3 – 2:05 p.m. – Room 208
DESCRIPTION:
Federal Motor Carriers Clearinghouse has been in existence for a few years. Join to hear the experts discuss what is required of short lines. See a side-by side comparison of FMCSA and FRA.
MODERATOR:
Mitch Harris, Director of Safety, Training and Regulatory Compliance, Rio Grande Pacific Corporation
SPEAKER:
Holly Rainwater, Vice President, Drug and Alcohol Programs, Spark TS
Monday, April 3 – 4:35 p.m. – Room 208
DESCRIPTION:
FRA will start processing the data to determine if a railroad has an inadequate safety record. Learn the process for making the determination and what is required of a railroad. If a railroad is required to develop a program, ASLRRA, in conjunction with the Safety and Training Committee, has developed a template program.
MODERATOR:
Josh Banks, Manager of Operating Practices, Tacoma Rail
SPEAKERS:
Mitch Harris, Director of Safety, Training and Regulatory Compliance, Rio Grande Pacific Corporation
JR Gelnar, Vice President, Safety and Complaince, ASLRRA
Tuesday, April 4 –10:00 a.m. – Room 208
DESCRIPTION:
Many deadlines regarding Part 243 have passed (e.g., grandfathering, program adoption, new hire training, etc.) Now, refresher training time is approaching. Find out what we have learned and where we are going.
MODERATOR:
Taylor Kelley, Manager of Safety, Training and Regulatory Compliance, Nebraska Central Railroad
SPEAKERS:
Rob Castiglione, Staff Director, Safety Partnerships, Federal Railroad Administration
Katie Inouye, President, Spark TS
Tuesday, April 4 – 8:55 a.m. – Room 208
DESCRIPTION:
The FRA’s Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS) is an innovative, proactive safety program that has been helping change the way the railroad industry looks at safety since 2014. The FRA’s Safety Partnership team will give program background and share corrective action and trending information that has resulted from over 27,000 submitted C3RS reports. New C3RS initiatives will be presented that allows railroads of any size to benefit from this forward thinking program will also be discussed.
MODERATOR:
Jo Strang, SVP Safety, Regulatory & Environmental Policy, ASLRRA
SPEAKER:
Brian Reilly, Specialist, Railroad Safety Partnerships Division, Federal Railroad Administration
Sponsored by:
TECHNOLOGY
Monday, April3 – 1:10 p.m. – Room 212
DESCRIPTION:
A briefing from the FBI and TSA covering threats to railroads coming from various actors, as well as the status of the Security Directives issued by TSA since 2021.
SPEAKER:
Jonathan Lamb, Industry Engagement Manager (Freight Rail), Transportation Security Administration
Monday, April3 – 2:05 p.m. – Room 212
DESCRIPTION:
Does a self-driving car get you to your destination faster? Does an autonomous locomotive alone increase freight movement capacity? A perspective and overview on automation technology adoption for the yard and associated operating paradigms that can make it successful.
SPEAKER:
Greg Hrebek, President, Railspire LLC
Brad Howard, VP Engineer, Railspire LLC
Tuesday, April 4 – 8:00 a.m. – Room 212
DESCRIPTION:
A case study in use of 3D laser sensors and LiDAR with machine learning/artificial intelligence for near real time defect detection and predictive analysis of all rail corridor assets.
SPEAKER:
Bill Larson, Senior Advisor, Asset Management, Tetra Tech
Tuesday, April 4 – 8:55 a.m. – Room 212
DESCRIPTION:
Technology for Operations at OmniTRAX, provided by Wi-Tronix, is focused on safety, data analytics, and savings. This discussion will address why these are key areas for OmniTRAX, how our technology supports it, and why others should think of it in a similar way.
SPEAKERS:
Scott Remington, Vice President, Operations & Special Projects, OmniTRAX, Inc.
Chad Jasmin, Vice President, Sales and Customer Experience, Wi-Tronix
Sponsored by:
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Monday, April 3 – 4:35 a.m. – Room 214
DESCRIPTION:
Join ASLRRA's Young Professionals and Finance Committees for a panel discussion to discuss financial planning and learn how to jump start your financial goals in the early to mid-stages of your career
MODERATOR:
Nicole Teska, Partner, Bowers and Company CPAs
SPEAKERS:
Robert Auditore, Senior Vice President CAPTRUST
Kevin Visconti, Partner Diversified Capital Management
TBD
Monday, April 3 – 3:40 p.m. – Room 214
DESCRIPTION:
Join ASLRRA's Young Professionals Committee and a panel of ASLRRA members to learn more about how you and your company can benefit the most from your ASLRRA membership through committees, in person events, networking, etc.
MODERATOR:
Chuck Baker, President, ASLRRA
SPEAKERS:
Erika Bruhnke, Vice President, Training Services, RailPros
Stefan Loeb, Executive VP and Chief Commercial Officer, Watco
Tuesday, April 4 – 8:55 a.m. – Room 217
DESCRIPTION:
Join ASLRRA's Young Professionals and Environmental Committees as they host an in person Operation Lifesaver (OLI) Training. Pre-registration is required and individuals will need to complete some pre-work. Attendees who complete this training will be certified as an OLI volunteer in their state of residence.
MODERATOR:
Wende Corcoran, Vice President, Operation Lifesaver
SPEAKER:
Moriah Whiteman, Manager of Education, Training and Volunteer Support, Operation Lifesaver
Sponsored by:
ENVIRONMENTAL
Monday, April 3 – 1:10 p.m. – Room 209
DESCRIPTION:
ESG has made a lot of progress this year! Learn what industry leaders are doing and how to capture and measure important metrics.
MODERATOR:
Laura McNichol, SVP & Chief Sustainability Officer, Watco
SPEAKERS:
Glen Wilson, VP, Safety and Environment, Canadian Pacific
Trevor Pusch, Senior Corporate Counsel, Anacostia Rail Holdings Company
Tuesday, April 4 – 8:00 a.m. – Room 209
DESCRIPTION:
Shippers are requiring greater care in ensuring plastics stay out of the water supply, Operation Clean Sweep is a program designed to give your shippers confidence that your railroad does.
SPEAKER:
Allison Chertack, Manager, Plastics Sustainability, American Chemistry Council
Monday, April 3 – 3:40 p.m. – Room 209
DESCRIPTION:
Where's the biomass going to produce biofuel, where will you be able to buy it and how can you fund storing it?
SPEAKERS:
Paul Winters, Director, Public Affairs and Federal Communications, Clean Fuels Alliance America
Kevin Herdler, Executive Director, Clean Cities
Jeff Carpenter, Business Loan and Grant Analyst, Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program Manager, USDA
Tuesday, April 4 – 8:55 a.m. – Room 217
DESCRIPTION:
Join ASLRRA's Young Professionals and Environmental Committees as they host an in person Operation Lifesaver (OLI) Training. Pre-registration is required and individuals will need to complete some pre-work. Attendees who complete this training will be certified as an OLI volunteer in their state of residence.
MODERATOR:
Wende Corcoran, Vice President, Operation Lifesaver
SPEAKER:
Moriah Whiteman, Manager of Education, Training and Volunteer Support, Operation Lifesaver
Sponsored by:
SPECIAL SESSIONS
Tuesday, April 4 – 8:00 a.m. – Room 210
DESCRIPTION:
Grab your morning coffee and join ASLRRA President Chuck Baker and FRA Deputy Administrator Jennifer Mitchell for a conversation on wide-ranging industry topics, including: federal interaction; workforce development; women in rail leadership; research, innovation, and emerging technologies; environmental impact; passenger rail/Corridor ID program; and other upcoming initiatives from the FRA. The Deputy Administrator may also share details about the USDOT – FRA 2023 initiatives and priorities and the FY 2023 Grant program cycles.
MODERATOR:
Chuck Baker, President, ASLRRA
SPEAKER:
Jennifer Mitchell, Deputy Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration
Monday, April 3 – 3:40 p.m. – Room 213
DESCRIPTION:
Supply chain problems have improved but there are still production delays and rising costs on many materials and key component parts for items that our railroads need and our suppliers sell. This panel will look at ideas to get better pricing on a short line budget and discuss what the railroad procurement executives are seeing in the marketplace and what their pain points are.
MODERATOR:
Henry Posner, III, Chairman, Railroad Development Corporation and Pop-Up Metro, LLC
SPEAKERS:
Gregg Baxter, VP, Transit Services, Herzog
George Betke, Chairman, Farmrail System
Jim O'Hara, SVP, Marsh Railroad Services
Tuesday, April 4 – 8:00 a.m. – Room 213
DESCRIPTION:
Supply chain problems have improved but there are still production delays and rising costs on many materials and key component parts for items that our railroads need and our suppliers sell. This panel will look at ideas to get better pricing on a short line budget and discuss what the railroad procurement executives are seeing in the marketplace and what their pain points are.
MODERATOR:
Erika Bruhnke, VP, Training Services, RailPros
SPEAKERS:
Shea McLaughlin, National Sales Director, CDL Electric
Jessica Lynn, Procurement Manager, OmniTRAX
Tyler Sargent, Procurement Manager, Jaguar Transport Holdings