Rising Stars 2022: Tim Enayati

Tim Enayati, 32
Senior vice president, commercial development
Jaguar Transport Holdings LLC

Nominator’s quote: “Tim is an extremely talented person who is also humble, has great grit and dedication, holds himself accountable and takes pride in performance, and does everything with an unrelenting focus on integrity and character.” — Stu Towner, Jaguar Transport Holdings

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Pittsburg State University.

Job responsibilities: Main responsibilities include direct support and mentorship for Jaguar Transport Holdings’ commercial team, which is responsible for revenue performance, growth and building relationships with customers. Additional responsibilities include supporting and fostering new customer and industrial development, as well as identifying new expansion targets, such as development projects or acquisition opportunities.

Career path: Started in the rail industry by accepting an internship in accounting at Watco, which evolved into a full-time position as a financial analyst supporting operations. From there, progressed through several different areas of the organization, spending time on the finance, marketing and sales and mergers and acquisitions teams. Left the industry for a development role at a construction materials company to support acquisition and growth, trucking and rail logistics businesses. Two years later, joined the Jaguar Transport team.

What is the best career advice you’ve received? Always put our customers and our people who take care of our customers first, because without either of them, we don’t have a company.

What advice would you offer a new railroader? Always look for solutions/services to create value for your customers regardless of the position you are in. You’ll create value for your organization immediately [and] over the long term.

What was your very first job? Dishwasher at Chatter’s Restaurant in Pittsburg, Kansas.

Describe a fun fact about yourself. I am married, with two children: A girl, 3, and a boy, 2.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? I enjoy traveling and experiencing new places and foods with my family. Also, I enjoy competing in just about anything, but specifically basketball and golf.

How has the pandemic changed your view of career and life in general? The pandemic made me truly appreciate in-person interaction that occurs personally and professionally, as both were significantly impacted during the pandemic. From my viewpoint, I believe it also highlighted how quickly technology is moving and, when there is a new need, how quickly it can adapt. I view that to be both a threat and an opportunity.