Rising Stars: Scott Bannwart, Florida East Coast Railway

Scott Bannwart, 38

Chief engineer, maintenance of way
Florida East Coast Railway (FEC)

Job description: Responsible for maintenance of track, bridges and right-of-way along FEC's 351-mile corridor.

Career path: Bannwart started out as a management trainee with Norfolk Southern Railway and worked his way up to assistant division engineer. He then spent three years in the rail construction and contracting field before joining FEC in his current role.

Education: Bachelor of science degree in civil engineering

Why did you go into railroading? I fell into railroading after meeting with Norfolk Southern at a career fair and realizing it was a fast-paced and dynamic career option.

What is a fun fact about you? I have been to 41 states and 12 countries.

What do you hope to be doing or learning in five years? Continuing to learn and develop in the railroad industry.

Who has been the biggest inspiration to you in your career? Don McKibben, my mentor at NS. And my parents.

What do you enjoying doing when you're not at work? Golfing, spending time with family, traveling and watching Kentucky basketball.