Agenda

Tuesday, September 9

10:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m. — Registration

12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. — Sponsor/Exhibitor Setup

4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. — Networking Happy Hour - icebreaker activities provided by the Young Professionals Committee

5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. — Opening Reception with Sponsors

Wednesday, September 10

7:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. — Registration

7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m. — Networking Breakfast with Sponsors

8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. — General Session

• 8:00 a.m.-8:05 a.m. — Announcements: Ben Tarbutton III, President, Sandersville Railroad Company and RVP Southern Region, ASLRRA Board of Directions
   
• 8:05a.m.-8:15 a.m. — Welcome: Matt Walsh, Executive Vice President, Global Corporate Development, Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services, Inc. and Chairman, ASLRRA Board of Directors
   
• 8:15 a.m.-8:30 a.m. — President’s Awards (Southern Region)
   
• 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. — Short Line Leaders Panel: Moderated by Chuck Baker
  Brandy Christian, CEO, Patriot Rail Company, Ryan Ratledge, CEO, Pinsley Railroad Company and Ben Tarbutton III, President, Sandersville Railroad Company
  Hear from executives from a large holding company, a medium size railroad, and a small railroad. Baker will ask about current events, business development and much more.
• 9:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. — Class I Update: Norfolk Southern
  Stefan Loeb, Vice President Business Development and First and Final Mile Markets, Norfolk Southern
   
• 10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. — Networking Break with Sponsors
   
• 10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. — Economic Development Programs and Working with your State DOT
  Moderator: Crystal Gitchell, AVP, Legislative & Regulatory Policy, ASLRRA
  Panelists: Jason T. Orthner, P.E., CPM, Rail Division Director, North Carolina Department of Transportation and Ean Johnson, Economic & Industrial Development, OmniTRAX
  You will hear from the North Carolina Department of Transportation on the importance of partnering with your DOT on economic development projects and grants, and from short line economic development leaders on how they are working with their states to turn dirt and get projects moving.
   
• 11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. — Class I Update: CSX
  Christina Bottomley, VP Business Development & Real Estate, CSX Transportation, Inc.

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Networking Lunch with Sponsors

12:30 p.m.-1:20 p.m. — Breakout Sessions:

• Technology with Roadway Maintenance Machines (RMM)
  Tim Presser, (RWP/RMM) HQ Specialist, Federal Railroad Administration
  This presentation will discuss recent fatalities involving RMMs and Roadway Workers, and technologies being utilized to prevent these fatalities, including development of future technologies.
   
• Crisis Response Presentation: A Legal Perspective
  Mimi Davis, Counsel, Crowell & Moring LLP, Mike Scully, Corporate & Transportation Law — Director, Risk Management, CSX Transportation. Moderated by Onna Houck, General Counsel, Iowa Interstate Railroad, Ltd
  This session would be of interest to safety professionals, lawyers, executives, and many others at railroads. It will stress the importance of company coordination in the event of a crisis and what you should have prepared in advance.
   
• Telling Your Story — Creating a Brand Image that Resonates with Customers and the Community
  Joe Gioe, President & CEO, Indiana Railroad Company
  Your brand is your promise! Join CEOs from short line railroads who have successfully grown business by leveraging a consistent message to shippers and their community, across all marketing channels.

1:25 p.m.-2:15 p.m. — Breakout Sessions:

• Wood Railroad Ties: End of Life Cycle
  Pablo Gonzales, Director Business Development, Patriot Rail and Frank Forlini, Managing Director M&S, Spokane, Spangle & Palouse Railway and Omaha Track, Inc.
  A discussion about what happens to wood railroad ties after they are removed from their initial use in the rail infrastructure. We'll discuss the downstream uses and the challenges of disposal.
   
• Hot Topics in Finance and Taxes, Including Updates from the "Big Beautiful Bill"
  Cheryl Tidd, CVA, Manager, Bowers CPA & Advisors
   
• Stormwater Compliance
  Jeffrey LaRock, Program Manager, TRC Companies, Inc.
  Operators of industrial facilities with activities exposed to stormwater may be subject to a state, territory, or EPA industrial stormwater permitting requirements. Typically, these facilities will need to file a Notice of Intent (NOI) with the applicable agency and develop a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan or equivalent.  Learn about best practices in managing industrial stormwater requirements and get a chance to have your questions answered by an expert in the field.

2:15 p.m.-2:45 p.m. — Networking Break with Sponsors

2:45 p.m.-3:35 p.m. — Breakout Sessions:

• Transloading: Getting Started, Getting Profitable
  Moderator: Blake DeNoyer, Rail Advisory Group Leader, Lockton
  Panelists:  Dan Price, SVP Operations, Jaguar Holdings, Tim Naprstek, Owner, RailHeads Consulting Solutions and Frank Forlini, Managing Director M&S, Spokane, Spangle & Palouse Railway and Omaha Track, Inc.
  Transloading represents an opportunity to move your short line operation to the next level. This diverse panel will cover aspects of conveyance, facility footprint, emissions, long-term planning and some legal considerations.
   
• Managing Media Interest in a Post-East Palestine World
  Tom Ciuba, Vice President of Communications, Genesee & Wyoming Services, Inc., Jessica Kahanek, Assistant Vice President, Communications, AAR and Amy Krouse, Senior VP, Communications, ASLRRA
  A rise in the public’s general interest in freight railroading is at a level not seen in quite some time. At this session, expert media managers will cover the latest trends, the need for education on the benefits of rail to the national economy and discuss how to control the spin — particularly in your community.

3:40 p.m.-4:40 p.m. — Sandhouse Meetings

• Eastern Region Railroad Sandhouse Meeting
• Southern Region Railroad Sandhouse Meeting
• Supplier Members Sandhouse Meeting

5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. — Networking Happy Hour: Bowlero
A short walk from the hotel, please join us for a networking happy hour at Bowlero, a retro-inspired, black-light bowling hangout powered by interactive arcade games, signature cocktails, an outrageous menu of shareables, and nostalgia. Join us for networking, bowling, arcade games, bar snacks and beverages.

Thursday, September 11

7:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. — Registration

7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m. — Networking Breakfast with Sponsors

8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. — General Session

• 8:00 a.m.-8:05 a.m. — Announcements: Robert Babcock, President & CEO, Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroads and RVP- Eastern Region, ASLRRA Board of Directors
   
• 8:05 a.m.-8:15 a.m. — Association/Rail Industry Update: Chuck Baker, President, ASLRRA
   
• 8:15 a.m.-8:30 a.m. — President’s Awards (Eastern Region)
   
• 8:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m. — A Business Plan for Safety
  Tom Murta, Executive Director, and Sam Cotton, Director - Safety Culture Programs, Short Line Safety Institute
  An overview of the SLSI Safety Culture Assessments, Leadership Development courses and HAZMAT Training activity. Special focus on the “Business Plan for Safety” the most prevalent opportunity identified in the decade of operation.
   
• 9:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. — Class I Update: CN
  Jim Gunther, Director, Network Strategy & Partnerships, CN
   
• 9:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. — Courageous Leadership in Modern Railroading
  Joe Gioe, President & CEO, Indiana Railroad Company
  Explore the vital role of courageous leadership and benevolent governance in navigating the evolving challenges of the rail industry and focus on strategic approaches to achieving organizational goals, while emphasizing the importance of people development as a driver for brand value and recognition.
   
• 10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. — Networking Break with Sponsors
   
• 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. — Legislative, Regulatory and Legal Panel
  Nicole Brewin, VP, Congressional Affairs; Jo Strang, SVP, Safety, Regulatory, & Environmental Policy; and Sarah Yurasko, SVP & General Counsel, ASLRRA
  ASLRRA Legal, Legislative and Regulatory Staff will discuss current events and recent updates from Washington, D.C. Overview of recent changes in federal and state regulations. Predictions on upcoming regulatory trends and potential legislative actions.

NEW THIS YEAR:

Networking Happy Hour at Bowlero

A networking event with bowling, arcade games, bar snacks and beverages. Free to all attendees; just RSVP when registering for the Eastern & Southern region meeting.