ASLRRA to honor Carne, Wilcox for rail safety efforts

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) yesterday recognized two individuals for their "significant and consistent dedication" to railroad safety.

Nominated by their peers and selected by a panel of industry safety experts, the 2026 Safety Professional of the Year is Matt Carne, senior manager of safety and training at Modesto and Empire Traction Co., and the 2026 Safety Person of the Year is Joe Wilcox, a conductor and engineer at Watco, ASLRRA officials said in a press release.

The Safety Professional of the Year Award honors a safety management employee of an ASLRRA member railroad who is responsible for safety programs, training and the overall management of safe behavior and actions on their railroad. The Safety Person of the Year Award recognizes an employee of an ASLRRA member railroad who works with management on effective safety programs and exhibits a high degree of safety awareness.

"While short lines are known for always getting to yes, delivering for customers, and growing local economies, an unrelenting focus on safety underpins everything they do,” said ASLRRA President Chuck Baker. 

Carne has built a culture of openness where close-call reports are encouraged and discussed to emphasize a proactive approach to safety concerns, ASLRRA officials said. His efforts have helped the railroad  experience measurable safety achievements, including zero regulatory violations across 16 separate inspections in 2025.

As a conductor and engineer at Watco’s industrial switching operation in Plaquemine, Louisiana, Wilcox is known for his active participation, ASLRRA officials said. He always comes to meetings prepared and ready to contribute, offering up relevant safety-related topics for discussion and providing valuable insight that enhances his colleagues’ understanding and awareness of safety alerts or the rule of the week. Additionally, Wilcox promotes a culture of safety within his department.

Carne and Wilcox will be recognized at the ASLRRA Annual Conference and Exhibition April 12–14, 2026, in Minneapolis.