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7/22/2016
Third-Party Intermodal Business Manager Archer Daniel Midland Co.
By Daniel Niepow, Associate Editor
Allison Fayfich was one of just two commercial management trainees that CSX hired in 2011. The job involved rotating among the railroad's various business units, including agricultural products, coal, automotive, food and consumer goods. After completing the nine-month program, she was hired as a market analyst for international intermodal sales.
"I was bitten by the railroad bug early [in the program]," says Fayfich, 31, who earned an MBA with a focus on supply chain management from Duquesne University in 2010. "I really like the industry — and transportation, in general."
She worked for CSX until October 2013, when she found a job as a third-party intermodal business manager at Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM), a global food processing and commodities trading company.
The firm had completed a new intermodal ramp in Decatur, Ill., and wanted to open it up for other shippers to use. Fayfich was tapped to lead the charge.
In less than three years, she's been pivotal to the success of the ramp, according to Jennifer Bennett, a business analyst in ADM's transportation department.
"Over the past two years, [Fayfich] has passionately and persistently collaborated with ocean carriers, railroads, trucking firms, freight forwarders, brokers, [third-party logistics firms] and shippers to establish new lanes of intermodal traffic, and to develop additional supply chain solutions for businesses in the region," wrote Bennett in her nomination of Fayfich as a Rising Star. "Her ability to build relationships is impressive."
In addition to her relationship-building abilities, Fayfich has demonstrated a keen understanding of intermodal operations, thanks to the many hours she spent shadowing terminal managers at CSX.
These days, she remains focused on attracting new business to the ramp, along with managing other day-to-day activities, such as developing pricing, processing bookings and maintaining customer relations. Fayfich also works closely with the Economic Development Corp. of Decatur and Macon County to spread the word about the ramp, which essentially has become a Midwest inland port, Bennett wrote.
"I feel like I'm an entrepreneur," Fayfich says. "We're working on marketing the ramp and getting it out there; we're going on road shows and giving presentations."
Outside of work, Fayfich has volunteered in food kitchens in Decatur. Throughout high school and college, she also played as a field hockey goalie and later served as a high school coach for the sport.
Bernando Ayala Jeff Bernstein Andrea Berry–Morris Kristina Brevard Matt Campbell Allison Fayfich Jon Gabriel Greg Godfrey Christopher Howard Amanda Jones Michael Keller Gretchen Kostura Jeremy Kramer Leslia LeMaster Wilson Mike Logan Kylie McLaughlin Kate O'Connor Rapik Saat Darin Selby Jerry Vaughn