Rising Stars 2023: Catherine Kersting

Catherine Kersting, 39
Operations manager
New York New Jersey Rail LLC

Nominator’s quote: “Cathy has consistently accepted new challenges and demonstrated an ability to handle progressively responsible roles. Since her promotion to operations manager, Cathy has maintained one of the most unique and complex marine railroad operations in North America: the last carfloat service across New York Harbor. She has demonstrated a real passion for her work and an ability to succeed in this industry.” — Donald Hutton, New York New Jersey Rail

Education: High school graduate. Beyond that, I have received education mostly from on-the-job training in active railroad operations. Moreover, I consider my educational path as daily and ongoing, striving to absorb as many online courses in various areas of the railroad as I can.

Job responsibilities: Plan, implement and control operations and facilities on both sides of New York Harbor, between Brooklyn, New York, and Jersey City, New Jersey, as the only marine railroad in the New York City region — and one of less than a handful in the nation. We have a warehouse division that I oversee as well. I also operate our hydraulic bridge as rail cars are loaded onto our carfloat, and oversee locomotive maintenance and repairs.

Career path: I started with New York New Jersey Rail in 2016 as a rail clerk. I was promoted to assistant office manager in 2017. In 2018, I was promoted to trainmaster. In 2019, I was promoted to assistant operations manager, a role I served in until 2022, when I was promoted to operations manager.

How did you get into the rail industry? I had never thought of a railroad career. Luckily, I was approached by senior management to apply for a job that had opened up. Taking that interview was the best decision of my life. I have met some really great people along the way; I take great pride in being part of the railroad industry.

What is the best career advice you’ve received so far? My late mother would always tell me three things: You can do anything once you put your mind to it; don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty; and you are only as good as your word. Those bits of advice are as valuable on the railroad as they are in everyday life for me. And believe me, I have had dirt under my fingernails many times in running rail operations, and I am proud of that fact. I hope she’s proud, too.

What advice would you give to a new railroader? Be a sponge. Ask questions. Learn all you can about every aspect of railroading. Spend some time with people in other departments or even other railroads if you can. Ask more questions. People who have been in the industry for years have information and knowledge not always available in a classroom setting. I personally have learned something from almost every person I have worked with. I am forever grateful for their input and expertise.

What was your first job? Working the drive-thru at McDonald’s. Although not a very glamorous job, it taught me a great work ethic and customer service.

Share a fun fact about yourself I love to go skydiving; I’m planning my fourth jump from 18,000 feet in September. This will be my last tandem jump and I plan to begin training for solo jumps.

If you could have dinner with anyone alive in the world, who would it be and why? Hands down, Edwina Justus. She — along with other trailblazers, such as Bonnie Leake — paved the way for female railroaders in a male-dominated industry. I bet she has some amazing stories to tell.

Who has had the biggest influence on your career and why? Donald Hutton, director of NYNJR, who I consider a legend in the railroad and maritime industry. His leadership, especially in times of crisis, has taught me to be calm in rough situations. His handling of Superstorm Sandy and COVID-19 in keeping the employees safe and the operations running should be in a leadership textbook.

Describe a major obstacle in your career and how you surmounted it. Having no prior railroad experience before joining the NYNJR team, I was a bit intimidated at first. I overcame that by pushing myself to ask questions and dedicating myself to learning as much about the railroad as I could. I basically became a sponge and absorbed the railroad environment into my DNA.