LRW names Gonzales 2023 Railway Woman of the Year

The League of Railway Women has named Kari Gonzales, president and CEO of MxV Rail, the 2023 Railway Woman of the Year.

Gonzales was presented the award Jan. 6 in Scottsdale, Arizona, during the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association's (NRC) annual conference and NRC-Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association Exhibition.

Co-sponsored by Progressive Railroading, the annual award honors a woman who establishes a vision and culture of continuous improvement and creativity; brings excellence to her organization and community; and supports the personal and professional growth of others in the rail industry.

"Kari has demonstrated leadership and excellence, while supporting the personal and professional growth of others in the rail industry," LRW officials said in a statement on social media.

Gonzales was appointed MxV Rail's president and CEO in September 2021. Previously, MxV Rail was known as the Transportation Technology Center Inc. (TTCI) in Pueblo, Colorado. A subsidiary of the Association of the American Railroads, the organization changed its name in September 2022 and relocated to a new location at the PuebloPlex facility in Pueblo County.

Gonzales was at the helm while MxV Rail built new infrastructure, transformed its services and moved operations in 2022. MxV Rail's name is based on the formula for momentum: mass x velocity. It evokes the organization's "dedication to creating the momentum needed to move our industry forward," Gonzales said in a 2022 interview.

Gonzales leads the MxV Rail team with more than two decades of service and experience in the rail industry. She served as TTCI's vice president and chief financial officer before taking over as the entity's top executive.

A mechanical engineer by training, Gonzales was honored by Progressive Railroading in 2014 as a "Rising Star," a recognition given to individuals under the age of 40 who have made a positive impact on railroading.