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July 2015
Account Executive GE Transportation
By Daniel Niepow, Associate Editor
Kaleigh Reyes’ foray into railroading began in 2008, when she landed an administrative assistant job at 10East Corp., which at the time provided Software-as-a-Service applications designed to support railroads’ signal and communications infrastructure needs. She found the position after working in retail management for a number of years.
“I got into rail by accident, to be honest,” she says. “I’ve never looked back.”
At 10East, Reyes quickly moved up to the client services team, where she supported software implementation, training and trade show activities. In 2009, 10East was acquired by RMI; in 2012, RMI was acquired by GE Transportation, where Reyes now works as an account executive.
Reyes views her role with the company as a way to bring technology to “an industry that 10 years ago was very much paper-based.”
Promoted to her current position in 2014, she now oversees a software and services portfolio that includes short line, transit and maintenance contractor segments.
“[Reyes] quickly became a subject-matter expert for GE Transportation’s asset management software, RailDOCS, which helps manage assets and track regulatory compliance,” wrote GE Transportation’s Global Commercial Leader Karen Folino in her nomination of Reyes as a Rising Star.
Reyes’ influence on railroading extends beyond technology. Through her involvement in numerous industry organizations, she’s helping shape the industry’s cultural future, too.
Reyes currently serves as first vice president of the League of Railway Industry Women (LRIW), which named her “Outstanding Member of the Year” in 2013. At LRIW, she’s previously held the positions of membership chair, director at large and webmaster. Additionally, she’s a member of GE Transportation’s Women’s Network, as well as the company’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies (GLBTA) Alliance.
“Do it with passion or not at all,” says Reyes. “I am a big proponent of being intentional and purposeful with your time.”
She also is a member of the National Association of Railway Business Women, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA), and the Project Management Institute.
As she works toward finishing her bachelor’s degree in business through Pennsylvania State University’s online program, Reyes hopes to take on a more management-focused role in the future. She also intends on getting her MBA from the same school.
“She sincerely loves the field she is in and will continue to rise at her company and in the industry,” wrote International Decal Management Corp. Founder Tracy DeLeon in her nomination of Reyes.
Now is an “exciting time” to be in rail, Reyes says.
“We have a lot of new technology being introduced,” she says. “We’re not doing business in the same way.”
Rising Stars 2015 Award Winners:
Francois Belanger, CN
Todd Blaylock, HNTB Corp.
Jonathan Chastek, Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Co.
Oliver Dolder, Railtech Welding & Equipment
John Riley Edwards, RailTEC, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Stefan Loeb, Watco Cos. LLC
Jessica Moore, Union Pacific Railroad
Amanda Nightingale, King County Metro Transit
Celia Ann Pfleckl, Amtrak
Charles Rennick, Providence & Worcester Railroad Co.
Kaleigh Reyes, GE Transportation
Rebecca Reyes-Alicea, Federal Railroad Administration
Bruno Riendeau, VIA Rail Canada Inc.
Curtis Shogren, CSX Transportation
Alanna Strohecker, AECOM
Keith Tarkalson, Stacy & Witbeck
Brett Urquhart, Rocla Concrete Tie Inc.
Tara Vesey, Dakota Gasification Co.
Lexie Walker, Metra
Adam Weiskittel, BNSF Railway Co.
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