ASLRRA to honor Bowers with Schlosser Award

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has named James Bowers, founder of Bowers CPAs & Advisors, as the 2024 Schlosser Distinguished Service Award winner.

The award is named after Thomas Schlosser, a former ASLRRA chairman and president and CEO of the Fort Worth & Western Railroad. Schlosser, who died in 2011, was a longtime and valuable contributor to the association. The award recognizes an individual's long-term significant service to the association and short-line industry.

Bowers has spent decades in the short-line industry as a certified public accountant in the accounting firm he founded — Bowers and Company CPAs — which now is called Bowers CPAs & Advisors. He also provided many years of service to the ASLRRA, including chairing the finance and administration committee, and presenting at and supporting the associations' events, ASLRRA officials said in a news release.

In addition, Bowers has encouraged the firm's employees to participate in the association, with several of them chairing committees.

"Jim has followed the path of many a small railroader, persistently applying his talent, building a one-man shop into a sustainable enterprise that creates value for many," said ASLRRA President Chuck Baker. "Alongside growing Bowers & Company, Jim has been a willing partner and friend to many in the industry, and most especially to our association, where his measured counsel has been instrumental in many successful initiatives."

Bowers will receive the award March 25 at the ASLRRA's annual conference and exhibition in Kansas City, Missouri.