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Rick Webb was working part time for Watco while going to college when Watco started in July of 1983. He began working full time at the company’s only operation in 1984. At that time, Watco consisted of a ten-person crew, using a single locomotive to serve its only customer, Boise Cascade, now Packaging Corporation of America. From that humble beginning Watco grew from one operation in 1983 to 190 locations operating in four countries today. For Webb, the main reason for Watco’s and his success is an unrelenting emphasis on building the best team to serve customers in the best manner possible. During Webb’s early years with Watco he performed a variety of tasks, including operations, marketing, hiring and raising capital. When Watco opened a rail-car repair shop in 1985, Webb, like everyone else on the Watco team, did whatever job was needed either in the office or on the repair floor to make sure the bills got paid on time and most importantly the customer’s needs were satisfied. |
In 1987, Watco purchased its first short line, primarily to serve its own rail-car repair shop, and kept on growing. In 1998, Webb became Watco’s CEO after taking the reins from his father, Dick Webb, who had to step down for health reasons. Dick Webb founded Watco along with his wife, Kaye Lynne.
Guiding Watco’s growth required a constant focus on listening to and learning from the customer and from the Watco team. Webb always believed that if you want to learn how to grow the top line, listen to your customer and if you want to learn how to grow the bottom line, listen to your team. It was that technique that led to continued growth in the short line railroad business, but also brought about two major expansions of Watco’s business, entries into the transload terminal sector in 2008 and the logistics business in 2014. Webb stepped down from his role as CEO in 2018 and is now the company’s executive chair, handing off the leadership of Watco to the capable hands of Watco’s current CEO, Dan Smith.
Today, Watco operates and provides daily services to over 3,500 customers in three business units: short-line railroads and switching operations, which has 76 profit centers, terminal and repair operations, which has 77 profit centers, and logistics operations with 27 profit centers.
Because of the tremendous performance of the Watco team, Webb has received many accolades for his leadership of Watco, being named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2010 in the Central Midwest Region; one of the 2021 Readers’ Most Influential Leaders by Railway Age magazine; and winning the 2022 Railroad Innovator Award from Progressive Railroading magazine. But given his dedication to the Watco team, Webb is most proud of Newsweek’s designation of Watco as one of America’s 100 Most Loved Workplaces in both 2022 and 2023, along with being one of the Top 100 Global Most Loved Workplaces in 2023, awards based on the results of Watco team surveys.
Always wanting to improve the efficiency of Watco’s customers’ supply chains, Webb has participated in numerous industry organizations to help accomplish that goal. Webb was a member of the Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC), including a stint as chairman, and he also represents Watco as a member of the National Industrial Transportation League’s Board of Directors.
A vigorous supporter of his community, Webb advocates for his alma mater, Pittsburg State University, and many local schools and community organizations. He is member of the Pittsburg State University Foundation Board of Trustees, Community National Bank‘s Advisory Board of Directors and U.S. Bank’s Market Board of Directors.
Webb attributes much of his success to always being able to count of the unwavering support and love of his wife Stacey along with his children and grandchildren, Wrenley, Luca, Megan and Hugo Flores and Jace, Megan and Jake Webb.
Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas recognizes Rick Webb's contributions to Pittsburg, Kansas, and the world following Webb's induction to the Short Line Industry Hall of Fame.
