Rising Stars 2025: Cole Pennington

Cole Pennington, 28
Chief engineer
Sierra Northern Railway

Nominator’s quote: “Cole brings a disciplined and safety-focused mindset to his work. His comprehensive understanding of the railroad industry, paired with strong leadership and a passion for mentoring others, makes him an invaluable asset to Sierra Northern Railway and the broader rail community.” — Brenton MacDonald, Sierra Northern Railway

Formal education: Folsom Lake College, associate degree of science, fire technology

Job responsibilities: Oversee the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of the maintenance-of-way department, ensuring alignment with Sierra Northern Railway’s (SNR) strategic mission, values and objectives. Responsibilities include managing internal and contracted infrastructure maintenance and inspection programs; lead the planning and execution of short- and long-term capital and maintenance programs; manage materials procurement and departmental data; serve as a member of the SNR representative team at industry events, public hearings and regulatory engagements.

Briefly describe your career path.
I began my career in the rail industry somewhat unexpectedly in 2015 after relocating to El Dorado Hills, California. While settling in, my family and I reconnected with a neighbor and longtime family friend who offered me a part-time conductor position at Sierra Northern Railway while I was attending college with the goal of becoming a firefighter.

After being hired, I was certified as a conductor and soon promoted to engineer. I worked in both roles while completing my college education. Upon graduating in early 2018, I was offered the position of assistant manager of safety and training at SNR. After six months, I was promoted to manager of safety and training. I held this position for four years, during which I helped develop the company’s safety culture, field training programs for all crafts, FRA certification programs and operational testing procedures.

As I built these programs, I found myself increasingly involved in the growth of SNR’s maintenance-of-way department. As projects expanded, the department grew from 12 employees with 26 assets in two divisions to 38 employees with 66 assets across three divisions. During this period of growth, Sierra Northern Railway’s President and CEO Kennan Beard III approached me about a potential new role. Shortly thereafter, I was promoted to my current role as chief engineer.

What sparked your interest in the rail industry?
The opportunity to earn some money while I was in college. At the time, it was just a good job to support myself while pursuing my goal of becoming a firefighter. However, once I got into the work, I started to really enjoy it — the responsibility, the team environment and the hands-on nature of the job. One opportunity led to another, and before I knew it, I found myself building a career. Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate to have stumbled into something that’s become such a big part of my life.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
My very first job began when I was a teenager mowing lawns for neighbors on my cul-de-sac. It all started while I was mowing my own lawn, and a neighbor asked if I could mow theirs while they were out of town, offering $40 for the job. What began as a one-time favor turned into a weekly gig, and before long, I had convinced three more neighbors to hire me for the same weekly rate.

From that small business venture at 13 years old, I learned the value of hard work, attention to detail and the importance of building strong relationships. Those early lessons have stuck with me and continue to influence how I approach work today.

What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
[People might be surprised to learn] how much I enjoy getting completely off the grid. Whether it’s camping in the mountains, off-roading on a dirt bike, or side-by-side on the back trails or in the dunes, or just sitting around a fire with a group of awesome friends, that time outdoors helps me reset and recharge. It’s a big contrast from the structured, high-responsibility nature of my work, but it’s where I find balance and clarity.

What’s one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned so far in your career?
Success is never a solo effort; it’s built on the strength of the team around you, the leadership that guides you and the family that supports you. Just as important as my professional support system has been, I have always had the unwavering love and encouragement of my family.

How do you stay motivated and resilient when things get tough in life, at work or in the industry?
I’ve learned the importance of stepping back, taking a deep breath and focusing on the positives in any situation. I’ve earned the nickname “The Golden Spoon” from many of my colleagues because I tend to spark conversations about challenging topics. But through those conversations, the team and I always make it a point to highlight the bright side and keep morale high. Staying positive and helping others do the same keeps me motivated and resilient, no matter what the challenge is.

If you could sit down for dinner with anyone alive in the world today, who would it be and what would you want to talk about?
I’d choose [television host and narrator] Mike Rowe. He’s someone who brings humility, humor and common sense to conversations that really matter; especially around hard work, skilled trades and the value of doing things with your hands. I’d love to talk to him about how we can better connect younger generations to meaningful, hands-on careers like those in the rail industry.

From your perspective, what is the rail industry’s greatest challenge?
One of the biggest challenges is attracting and retaining the next generation of workers, especially when it comes to the physical nature of the work.

Many younger workers entering the job market today are more accustomed to digital environments and remote flexibility, which can make it difficult to fill the more hands-on roles in departments like maintenance of way, mechanical and operations. These positions are physically demanding, often outdoors in all weather conditions and require a safety-first mindset, strong work ethic and technical skills.

To address this challenge, the industry needs to modernize how it presents itself, not just as hard labor, but as a career path with purpose, stability and opportunities for advancement. We also need to embrace technology, automation and smarter tools that reduce the physical burden while making the jobs more appealing and efficient.

If we don’t actively engage and evolve with the next generation, we risk a growing labor gap in some of the most critical parts of our industry.