Progressive Railroading announces Rising Stars for 2024

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

This is the 12th year that 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 their 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 nominations for nearly 200 individuals who work for Class Is, regionals, short lines, passenger railroads, transit agencies, government entities, associations, engineering firms, contractors or suppliers.

The award winners were chosen based on their contributions to railroading, as well as their career achievements, demonstrated leadership, professional association activity and community involvement. The winners will be profiled on ProgressiveRailroading.com this summer and recognized in the magazine's September issue. In addition, the Rising Stars for 2024 will be honored during a virtual ceremony to be held July 24.

This year's Rising Stars, and the organizations they work for, are:

Gene Barber, R. J. Corman Railroad Group
Akanksha Bode, Union Pacific Railroad
Robert Bullock, Florida East Coast Railway
James Carey, Union Pacific Railroad
Cory Carmichall, Missouri Eastern Railroad
Falyn Coleman-Wright, Leica Geosystems
Cara Costa, CSX
Clay Congleton, Railinc
Andrew Davis, DavRail Inc.
Cory De Kruyf, The Greenbrier Cos.
Jacob Elium, Norfolk Southern Railway
Patrick Garneau, AECOM
Marco Gonzalez, Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corp.
Kyle Hnatiuk, A&B Railroad Co.
Ian Hollingsworth, CSX
Franck Joseph II, New York City Transit
John Klosowski, Metro-North Railroad
David Kosla, CSX
Garrett King, CN
Shae LeDune, The Indiana Rail Road Co.
Brenton MacDonald, Sierra Northern Railway
Adam Motsinger, Norfolk Southern Railway
Muhammad Ahsan Pasha, Canadian Pacific Kansas City
Emily Schmitt, Union Pacific Railroad
Madeline Thompson, Metrolinx