AAR honors KCSM's Puente for environmental work

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) yesterday honored Miguel Antonio Flores Puente with the 2018 Professional Environmental Excellence Award, the industry's highest honor for environmental professionals.

Puente has been manager of environmental impact for Kansas City Southern de Mexico (KCSM) for nine years. He received the award at the 2018 Railroad Environmental Conference in Urbana, Illinois.

“Our winner, Miguel Antonio Flores Puente, has worked closely with partners in the Mexican government to turn the page for many legacy rail facilities and build a more environmentally responsible future across his railroad," said AAR President and Chief Operating Officer Edward Hamberger in a press release.

By coordinating with the Mexican Attorney General’s Office for Environmental Protection, Puente’s efforts have mitigated historical contaminations at legacy rail yards now operated by KCSM, protecting not only his railroad’s employees but also surrounding communities, AAR officials said.

He is now leading the charge for KCSM to receive certification from the National Environmental Audit Program, they added.

In addition to Puente, the following six railroad environmental professionals were nominated for the award: Joseph Winnicki of Amtrak; Russell Light of BNSF Railway Co.; Kari Harris of CN; Scott Croome of Canadian Pacific; William Parry of CSX; and Kim Keeling of Union Pacific Railroad.