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10/27/2021
The rail industry yesterday recognized Norfolk Southern Railway's Josh Raglin, Union Pacific Railroad's Christi Hornick and the Association of American Railroads' (AAR) Robert Fronczak for their contributions to sustainability in the rail industry. The three were honored during the Railroad Environmental Conference, which is being held through today.
Raglin, who is NS' chief sustainability officer and a trained wildlife biologist, has helped "inject sustainability" into railroad business practices during his 25 years of service, AAR officials said in a press release. Raglin has established clear goals for reducing NS' carbon emissions by 42% by 2034 and has advanced the Trees to Trains project, one of the world's largest reforestation programs.
Hornick, UP's general manager of environmental management, is said to be the Class I's "most trusted voice" on sustainability and conservation due to her work to improve air quality in rail, especially at the North Platte yard in Nebraska. She also helped lead UP to its first voluntary agreement with California to reduce visible excess carbon emissions through regular inspections and maintenance.
Fronczak, AAR’s assistant vice president of environment and hazmat, has been working in rail sustainability issues since the beginning of his career at the Milwaukee Road in 1979. Since joining AAR in 1994, he’s contributed vital work to protecting the environment from hazardous material spills and improving the safe transportation of hazardous material. Fronczak also helped develop the AskRail app, which helps first responders learn how to handle a rail incident.
Collectively, the three "have built a legacy of excellence and helped embed stewardship across both the industry and their individual organizations that will continue to grow long into the future,” said AAR president and CEO Ian Jefferies.