ASLRRA makes staff changes, establishes veteran hiring award

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) recently made a few personnel changes.

The association earlier this month named Camille Campbell executive assistant to President Linda Bauer Darr and reassigned Elizabeth Petty as director of operations. ASLRRA also announced that JR Gelnar, currently VP of engineering and safety for Farmrail Systems Inc., will join the association soon as VP of safety and compliance.

In addition, ASLRRA Vice President and General Superintendent of Safety and Operations Tom Streicher has announced plans to retire April 1 after nearly 10 years of service to the association and decades of service to the rail industry. ASLRRA plans to honor his contributions at the 2015 Connections Convention to be held March 28-31 in Orlando, Fla.

Also at its annual convention, the association plans to present a new award to recognize veteran hiring efforts. The award will honor Richard Timmons, who served as ASLRRA's president from 2002 to 2014 and had a long military career. The award will raise awareness in the military about opportunities in the rail industry and provide members another incentive to actively recruit veterans, ASLRRA officials said in a "Views & News" bulletin item.

The association also announced it is accepting nominations for the following annual awards until Jan. 30: the Marketing Awards Competition; Safety Person of the Year; Safety Professional of the Year; and Most Improved Railroad Safety Award.