Progressive Railroading announces Rising Stars for 2020

Today, Progressive Railroading announced the names of 25 people chosen for recognition this year as Rising Stars in the North American railroad industry.

This is the eighth year Progressive Railroading has sponsored the Rising Stars Awards program. The magazine defines a Rising Star as someone under the age of 40 who has made, or is making, a positive impact on his or her company, organization, department or team, and is viewed by others — peers, colleagues, supervisors, clients or associates — as an up-and-coming leader in the rail industry.

During a nomination process that lasted several months, Progressive Railroading readers submitted more than 100 nominations of individuals who work for Class Is, regionals, short lines, passenger railroads, transit agencies, government, academic institutions, engineering firms, contractors and suppliers.

The award winners were chosen based on their contributions to railroading, as well as their career achievements, demonstrated leadership, professional association activity or community involvement. Their stories will be profiled on ProgressiveRailroading.com this summer and published in the magazine's September issue.

In addition, the Rising Stars of 2020 will be honored at a dinner scheduled to be held July 20 in Chicago during the American Association of Railroad Superintendents' 2020 annual meeting.

The Rising Stars for 2020 and the organizations they work for are:

Maeghan Albiston, Canadian Pacific
Natalie Bogart, Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority
Ryan Breier, Burns Engineering Inc.
Sean Cronin, Metra
Olivia Daily, Kansas City Southern
Marcelo Estrada, CSX
Francisco Fabila Rubio, Ferrovalle
Seth Friend, CSX
Scott Harris, Chesapeake & Delaware LLC
Elizabeth Graham, Union Pacific Railroad
Daniela Jaramillo, Florida East Coast Railway
Katrina Kalafatis, HNTB
Ashley King, Norfolk Southern Railway
Lacy Kreger, BNSF Railway Co.
John McNeil, Norfolk Southern Railway
Karen Monroy Lopez, Kansas City Southern de Mexico
Melissa Smith, Kansas City Southern
Joe Stephens, Herzog
Jacob Street, Siemens Mobility Inc.
Nicole Teska, Bowers & Co. CPAs PLLC
Kyle Van Koughnett, Canadian Pacific
Harrison Wadsworth, Siemens Corp.
Brad Walker, Watco Cos. LLC
Brandon Whitaker, Union Pacific Railroad
Ashley Wieland, National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association