From the Editor — School's in: Meet the Rising Stars Class of 2022

By Pat Foran, Editor

This month, we present our Rising Stars of 2022 — 25 individuals under the age of 40 who are making a difference in the North American rail industry. The award winners’ answered questions Senior Associate Editor Julie Sneider and Associate Editor Grace Renderman posed about their jobs, their lives and the rail world at large.  

As ever, the winners responses were thoughtful and spot-on relevant. In an unprecedented period of supply-chain, economic and workforce uncertainties, the ’22 Rising Stars are fixated on figuring things out. In response to a question about advice they’d share with new railroaders, this year’s class suggests newbies should learn, learn, learn. Others urged their colleagues to mind another L word: to listen. But on this, the ’22 Rising Stars were clear: New-breed railroaders need — as Anacostia Rail Holdings Co.’s Trevor Pusch put it — to “know what you don’t know.”  

There’s a lot that isn’t known in this industry. The usual-suspect uncertainties might be murkier than ever. Where will freight-rail revenue growth come from? How will railroads deliver on the better-service promise? How will the industry solve its pressing, near-term worker shortage problem? How about over the longer haul? What’ll it take to retain top talent?  

For answers, I’m assuming (hoping) railroad management teams are reaching out to their respective Rising Stars, particularly on the talent retention question. They have a lot to say on the matter. And smart C-suiters know they, themselves, still have a lot to learn.  

LRW seeks ‘Railway Woman of the Year’ nominations  

The League of Railway Women (LRW) is seeking nominations for the 2022 Railway Woman of the Year award, which is co-sponsored by Progressive Railroading.  

LRW is seeking nominations for an outstanding woman in rail who: establishes a strong vision and a culture of continuous improvement and creativity; overcomes challenges and breaks down barriers; impacts the industry through innovation and trail blazing; brings excellence to her organization and community; and cultivates safety.  

Nominations will be accepted through Oct. 10 on the LRW website. The award recipient will be notified on or before Nov. 1.  

LRW has presented the Railway Woman of the Year award since 1988. Past winners include Union Pacific Railroad’s Beth Whited (2021), Metrolink’s Stephanie Wiggins (2020), Canadian Pacific’s Pam Arpin (2019) and Ontario Northland Transportation Commission’s Corina Moore (2018).  

The award will be presented at the National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association’s 2023 Annual Conference & Exhibition, which will be held Jan. 4-7, 2023, at the Boca Raton Resort and Beach Club in Boca Raton, Florida. For more information, visit: https://www.railwaywomen.org.