Education Sessions

This session will review rail production in the U.S. covering domestic mills and a high-level view of what foreign markets are doing. North American demand in relation to Canada and Mexico will impact shortlines, which could be affected by the recent administration changes in the U.S. and Mexico.

SPEAKER(S):

Jim Huenefeldt, Executive Vice President Sales, A&K Railroad Materials

Panel discussion from a diverse group of engineering firms from across the rail network who will converse on their unique experiences assisting railroads, i.e. Class I’s, regional and short line partners, with outside party access requests. The panelists have vast experience with outside party projects, which are those projects funded by an agency as improvements involving the railroad’s property and could potentially impact the railroad’s current and future operations. Discussion points will include both crossings and encroachments requested by utility providers, public agencies and other parties.

MODERATOR(S):

Lucus Brewer, Geographic Discipline Leader/Rail, Colliers Engineering and Design

SPEAKER(S):

Michael Atzert, Rail Project Manager, Burns & McDonnell
Jason Murray, Vice President – Right of Way Services, RailPros
Christopher Frank, Public Projects Manager/Railroad Division, Alfred Benesch & Company
C. Michael Cooper, Geographic Discipline Leader/Rail, Colliers Engineering and Design

The FAMES committee has analyzed past fatalities involving RMMS. Those findings will be discussed, including the RMM - 1234 Focus Strategy to reduce RMM fatalities.

MODERATOR(S):

Kyle Kellem, Roadmaster/Emergency Manager, Tacoma Rail

SPEAKER(S):

Lance Hawks, Human Performance Specialist - Safety Partnerships Division, FRA
JR Gelnar, Vice President - Safety and Compliance, ASLRRA

This session will cover the most current, pressing financial and tax issues impacting the short line railroad industry.

SPEAKER(S):

Rick Tidd, CPA/ABV/CGMA, CVA, CFF, Bowers CPAs & Advisors

Update on the current state of the economy and the key drivers. What does the road ahead look like, and where are the opportunities?

SPEAKER(S):

Dan Heckman, National Investment Consultant, US Bank

This session will address some of the unique challenges seen in the short line industry, impacts of TSA regulations, how to think about ROI for security investments, and what the future might hold.

SPEAKER(S):

Mark Grant, Ph.D., MBA, CISSP, RiskSec Group LLC

This roundtable will consist of finance professionals within the short line rail industry and the session content will consist of challenges and solutions they have each encountered within their respective companies.

MODERATOR(S):

Joe Mocciaro, Partner, Bowers CPAs & Advisors

SPEAKER(S):

Nicole Teska, Chief Financial Officer, Gulf and Ohio
Katie Masog, Director of Accounting, Twin Cities & Western Railroad Company
Jim Zubik, VP Finance and Administration, Anacostia Rail Holdings Company

With retirements, turnovers, and transitions expected to be on the rise in 2025, learn insights from industry leaders and railroad owners on the value and impact of succession planning. Discover essential methods and strategies to navigate talent acquisition and recruitment with a focus on streamlining processes, managing costs, candidate experience, DEI, AI, culture, and more. Boost retention in 2025 and beyond with a focus on onboarding, recognition and career development opportunities, strengthening leadership, managing risks, and more.

MODERATOR(S):

Bobbi Allen, Chief Administrative Officer, Iowa Interstate Railroad
Andrea Malter, Chief Human Resource Officer, OmniTRAX

SPEAKER(S):

Ida Posner, VP Strategic Planning, Railroad Development Corporation
Dean Piacente, CEO, OmniTRAX
Andrew Kuderer, Sales and Marketing Director, Strategic Talent Partners
Tim Lopas, Executive Recruiter, Edna Rice Executive Recruiters
Merritt Canfield, CEO, Executive Recruiter, Meritus Executive Search Excellence LLC
Terry Harrison, Director, National Academy of Railroad Sciences, Johnson Country Community College
Shannon Parker, Military & Veteran Recruiter, Watco

MODERATOR(S):

Tracey Donesky, Partner, Stinson LLP

SPEAKER(S):

Colleen Helenhouse, Attorney, Fletcher & Sippel LLC

DEK

MODERATOR(S):

Andrea Malter, Chief Human Resource Officer, OmniTRAX

SPEAKER(S):

Rebecca C. Mayhew, District Manager, U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, Denver DO

Current actions and cases before the Surface Transportation Board.

MODERATOR(S):

Onna Houck, General Counsel, Iowa Interstate Railroad, Ltd.

SPEAKER(S):

Rob Wimbish, Attorney, Fletcher & Sippel
John Fiorilla, Attorney, Dyer & Peterson

Legal and ethical considerations for lawyers delving into the world of artificial intelligence.

MODERATOR(S):

Crystal Zorbaugh, Attorney, Mullins Law Group

SPEAKER(S):

Torgny Nilsson, Attorney, Sierra Northern
Matt Fearing, Attorney, Transtar

Updates on the Railway Labor Act labor developments in the short line industry.

MODERATOR(S):

Onna Houck, General Counsel, Iowa Interstate Railroad, Ltd.

SPEAKER(S):

Audrey Lane, Attorney, Fletcher & Sippel

This panel will address the ever-changing preemption landscape. The panel will focus on ICCTA, the FRSA, and other potential federal laws that may provide railroads with the ability to be shielded from state and local environmental and permitting laws. It will also discuss the interplay of these laws with federal environmental laws.

MODERATOR(S):

Crystal Zorbaugh, Attorney, Mullins Law Group

SPEAKER(S):

David Rifkin, Attorney, Fletcher & Sippel
Bill Mullins, Attorney, Mullins Law Group

SPEAKER(S):

Tony Hatch

Our panelists will discuss the impacts of the trade war begun under the first Trump Administration, and continued under the Biden Administration on industries that rely on rail, and the projection of tariff policy impact for 2025 and beyond.

SPEAKER(S):

Ed Foley, VP, Marketing & Sales, Northeast Region, Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services, Inc.

Hear from 2025 Award Winning CEOs about how they have built business one carload, one customer, one investment at a time. This is a great opportunity for those new to marketing, and seasoned marketers to share experiences and advice! Come ready to participate.

SPEAKER(S):

TBD

This session will consist of multiple presentations regarding options to reduce locomotive emissions. The expert panel will provide details of their solution followed by a Q&A session.

MODERATOR(S):

Joe Bentrup, Mechanical Superintendent, Terminal Railroad Association

SPEAKER(S):

Michael Johnsen, Senior Advisor for Climate and Sustainability, FRA
Milane Karunaratne, Vice President, Wabtec
Adam Franco, Senior Digital Product Manager, Wabtec
Joe Stack, Rail Business Development, Cummins, Inc.
Samir Nirula, Director, Medha
Aaron Jensen, SVP-Operation Solutions and Support, Watco
Amarjit Soora, Director, Product Management, ZTR

Boxcar supply, freight car maintenance/repair and AAR billing will be discuss during this session.

MODERATOR(S):

Christine Benson, Director, Customer Relations & Operational Support, Harbor Rail Services Company

Learn about the tools available to you to ensure regulatory fairness for small businesses.

SPEAKER(S):

Bruce Lundegren, Assistant Chief Counsel, SBA

Learn more about what is new and coming in the regulatory environments (FRA, PHMSA, OSHA) focus on safety.

SPEAKER(S):

Jo Strang, SVP, Safety, Regulatory, and Environmental Policy, ASLRRA

Learn the latest requirements of the new signal employee certification rule.

SPEAKER(S):

Gabe Neal, Staff Director, Signal, Train Control, and Crossing Division, FRA

Learn the latest requirements of the new dispatcher certification rule.

SPEAKER(S):

Chris Holt, Staff Director - Operating Practices, FRA

Join this live Q&A panel featuring industry veterans who bring years of experience navigating the short line railroad landscape. These seasoned leaders will share invaluable lessons, time-tested strategies, and insider perspectives on overcoming challenges and capitalizing on opportunities in the rail industry. With their wealth of knowledge, they’ll address your questions and provide actionable insights to help you drive success. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from the experts in our industry!

MODERATOR(S):

Crystal Gitchell, AVP, Legislative & Regulatory, ASLRRA

SPEAKER(S):

Mike Ogborn, President, Ogborn Consulting Group
Judy Petry, Board Member, Farmrail Systems and Board Vice Chair, Alaska Railroad
Mitch Harris, VP Safety & Compliance, Rio Grande Pacific
Jim Huenefeldt, Executive Vice President Sales, A&K Railroad Materials

Small businesses face unique and often unseen technology challenges, from outdated systems to integrating modern solutions on a budget — but with the right solutions, these obstacles can become opportunities. Learn how to streamline operations, enhance safety, and improve customer service with cost-effective technology solutions, even what integrating AI might look like. Don’t let unseen obstacles derail your progress — discover the tools and approaches that can help your business stay on track can drive your business forward!

MODERATOR(S):

Jared Childress

SPEAKER(S):

Aage Linstad, Solutions Architect, Wabtec
Andrew Hollister, President & CEO, SimpleTech
Kellie Sisler, CEO, Top Rail Solutions

Join this engaging panel discussion featuring four seasoned professionals who have mastered the art of building meaningful connections. Discover diverse perspectives and actionable strategies for turning networking into a powerful tool for business growth and personal success. From navigating challenges to leveraging relationships for long-term impact, our experts will share stories, tips, and practical advice to help you make networking work for you.

MODERATOR(S):

Amber Brown, Business Development & Marketing, Top Rail Solutions

SPEAKER(S):

Joey Evans, Director of Business Support & Development, TNW Corporation
Shea Mclaughlin, Senior Director of Sales, PS Technology
Jodi Heath, Vice President of Business Development, The Indiana Rail Road Company
Chelsea Sweet, Outsourced Controller/Railroad Specialist, Bowers CPAs

FRA concurrence letter process for non-traditional locomotives, alternate fuels and propulsions systems.

SPEAKER(S):

Scott Myer, President & CEO , Optifuels
Kar Gasporov, FRA MP&E HQ, FRA
Curtis Sloan, VP Policy and Sustainability, Watco

Applying structured problem solving to environmental problems. We’ve all seen how some poor decision making can lead to disastrous consequences, learn an approach to problem solving that will lead to better problem solving and better outcomes.

SPEAKER(S):

Tom Murta, Executive Director, SLSI
Adrián González, CEO, The SmartForce Group, Inc.

Learn about the Incident Command System, a standardized approach to the command, control, and coordination of emergency response providing a common hierarchy within which responders from multiple agencies can be effective.

SPEAKER(S):

John Walsh, Director, Hazmat Programs, SLSI

Keep plastic resins out of the environment: new updates and tools for rail partners.

SPEAKER(S):

Alexandra Hoen, Manager, Plastics Sustainability, American Chemistry Council

Examination of impact on grants and availability of railroad materials.

MODERATOR(S):

Lucas Brewer, Geographic Discipline Leader/Rail, Colliers Engineering & Design

SPEAKER(S):

Jim Huenefeldt, Executive VP-Sales, A&K Railroad Materials

Hear from industry leaders on best practices and cutting-edge tools to make the procurement/sourcing process more efficient.

Panel Discussion

SPEAKER(S):

David Fisher, Executive Director, Transportation Institute, University of Denver Transportation & Supply Chain Institute
Patrick Sherry, Professor, University of Denver Transportation & Supply Chain Institute

You’ve been notified you’ve received a CRISI grant, and celebrated the effort it took to get you here. Hear from Short Line CEOs about how to manage the grant through to completion — tips, tricks, what you need to know to keep the project, and the rest of your business, moving in the right direction.

SPEAKER(S):

TBD