Progressive Railroading names 2017 Rising Stars Award honorees

Today, Progressive Railroading announces the 20 people chosen for recognition as the 2017 "Rising Stars" of the North American railroad industry.

This is the fifth year that Progressive Railroading has sponsored the Rising Stars Awards program. The magazine defines a Rising Star as someone under the age of 40 who has made, or is making, a positive impact on his or her company, organization, department or team, and is viewed by others — peers, colleagues, supervisors, clients or associates — as an up-and-coming leader in the rail industry.

During a nomination process that lasted several months, Progressive Railroading readers submitted a record number of nominations — more than 220 — of individuals who work for Class Is, regionals, short lines, passenger railroads, transit agencies, government agencies, academic institutions, engineering firms and suppliers.

This year's 20 honorees were chosen based on their contributions to the railroad industry, career achievements, demonstrated leadership, professional association activity or community involvement. Their stories will be profiled on ProgressiveRailroading.com this summer and published in the magazine's September issue.

In addition, the 2017 Rising Stars will be recognized at a dinner to be held July 23 at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis during the American Association of Railroad Superintendents' 2017 Annual Meeting.

The Rising Stars for 2017 and the organizations they work for are:

Arthur Adams Jr., CSX
Winnie Chang, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Nick Chodorow, Belt Railway Co. of Chicago
Joshua Engel-Yan, Metrolinx
Laura Fotiou, Amtrak
Robert Gordon, National Transportation Safety Board 
Matthew Hipwell, CN
Travis Kelly, Texas Central Partners LLC
Darrell Krueger, BNSF Railway Co.
Michael Lefevre, Brightline (All Aboard Florida)
Michele Malski, Short Line Safety Institute
Julie Mink, Tealinc Ltd.
Myat Ohn, HNTB
Annka Robinson, Dallas Area Rapid Transit/Trinity Railway Express
Danielle Ross, Spectrum Inc.
Amanda Stahlnecker, HDR Inc.
Mike Stickel, Lake State Railway Co.
Sarah Touey, Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon
Stu Towner, Watco Cos. LLC
Matthew Walicki, AECOM