AAR recognizes Norfolk Southern's Motsinger for environmental excellence

Norfolk Southern Railway’s Adam Motsinger has received the 2023 Environmental Excellence Award from the Association of American Railroads.

The award is the industry’s highest honor for environmental professionals, AAR officials said in a press release.

Motsinger has supported NS environmental operations since 2017. As the Class I’s manager of environmental operations, he oversees and manages his assigned territory to ensure compliance of applicable environmental laws, regulations, permits, plans and best environmental management practices. He also oversees correction of deficient areas.

Specifically, he oversees six wastewater treatment plants, provides 24/7 emergency response and management for facilities within his territory, and supports the hazardous materials team in the event of a derailment.

By identifying deficiencies and proposing solutions, Motsinger has helped NS create opportunities to extend its sustainability track record and minimize potential impacts to the environment, according to the AAR.

Five other railroad environmental professionals were nominated for the AAR award: Aaron Stadnyk, director of environment field operations and emergency response at CN; Chad Prior, director of environmental engineering and wastewater operations at BNSF Railway Co.; Kiley Gibson, who has led Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s role in moving rail operations out of Lac-Megantic, Quebec; Daniel Dyer, senior manager of environmental remediation for CSX; and Chip Heard, senior manager of hazardous materials management at Union Pacific Railroad.