RTA TRANSITION 25 YEARS THAT REVOLUTIONIZED AN INDUSTRY Editor’s Note: The below was developed more than 25 years working to ensure from an interview with RTA Executive the industry remains safe, efficient and, RTA Executive Director Jim Gauntt Director Jim Gauntt in November 2019 in a word, the “best” it can be. With a by Nisus Corp.’s Jim Gorman and Ken career spanning more than 40 years, he consideration that it might be in the best Laughlin. Additional comments were amassed a remarkable record of success, interests of RTA and its members. Gauntt collected from Crossties interviews. including publishing RTA’s Crossties reflected on the difficult choice to step magazine, conducting training sessions on away from and organization and industry When Railway Tie Association (RTA) tie grading, and hosting the RTA Annual he loves. “When you find there are fewer Executive Director James C. Gauntt Symposium and Technical Conference. years in front of you than behind, you announced his plans for retirement, railroad Gauntt is also the published author of ultimately realize you should give greatest and manufacturing industry colleagues were numerous articles, papers and publications consideration to your family and spend as saddened. on the subject of wood tie research and much of that time with them as you can. American Short Line and Regional treated wood tie performance, and is a The RTA Executive Committee helping Association President Chuck Baker tweeted frequent speaker on wood preserving and me lay the groundwork for a successful an immediate reaction to learning that a tie industry subjects. transition was absolutely essential in my search for Gauntt’s replacement had begun. Retirement was something Gauntt only decision.” “The Railway Tie Association is looking for considered for a short period of time. He Gauntt’s transition will play out over somebody great to replace the irreplaceable had begun to suspect his ability to shoulder the next 15 months. He said he firmly Jim Gauntt upon his retirement next year,” the travel demands of the job might begin believes the succession process in place he said. “Blessedly, he will hang around for to ebb as time went on. Gauntt underwent will serve the membership well and that the some mentoring.” multiple spine surgeries from 2015- association will benefit with someone at the As executive director of the Railway 2019. Yet, the decision to retire earlier helm who will bring new energy and ideas Tie Association since 1995, Gauntt spent than anticipated was made easier by the to the association. Gauntt will continue to

Gauntt presents Representative Mac Collins (as Sen. Charles Grassley looks Gauntt is pictured with RTA President Kenny on) with a Broad Axe for his service to the Dailey, right, presenting Jeff Parrett a service railroad Industry during one of his many award during the 2016 RTA Symposium. Railroad Day on the Hill visits.

18 CROSSTIES • MARCH/APRIL 2020 RTA TRANSITION serve as a resource to Mr. Ashley Goodin, For the new executive director, continuing who will take on the role of co-executive to prepare for the acceptance of new director on May 1. (See announcement technologies will be a motivating force; on page 25). there will always be something else coming, always some new technology “disrupting” Important Issues the industry. For The Future Of RTA Even though the focus on the incredible RTA objectives include increasing the value of RTA’s face-to-face events where growth of its volunteer base participating the merging of knowledge and networking in key areas and expanding upon the will always occur, Gauntt said, “The investment it takes to achieve more than industry also needs to embrace online 90 percent member engagement. Gauntt also learning in a greater way. Reaching the said RTA should focus on increasing short sawmiller with virtual learning will become line railroad membership and encouraging increasingly important.” He also said members to be transparent about automation will play a role in the future. Publicity photo for Gauntt's appearance processes and products. He said increased “The more members can automate, the in “South Pacific” in 1994. communication within the community more positions can become information of industry players will not only lead to technology-style jobs that will appeal to our better industry performance but will also industry’s next generation of workers.” foster greater tolerance and understanding when there are significant differing points A Look Back of views. Gauntt was born in Birmingham, Ala. His Ken Laughlin, vice father, Paul Gauntt, born in Langdale, Ala., president at Nisus Corp. and longtime was an Auburn University engineering friend of Gauntt, observed that when he first graduate who later found his calling by served on the RTA Executive Committee, attending Candler School of Theology at there were no railroaders. Thanks to the Emory University on his path to ordination work of Gauntt and the committee members, as a Methodist minister. His mother, that changed. Janet (Whetstone) Seaman, was from Laughlin also noted that the procurement Alexander City, Ala., and graduated from session of the RTA Annual Symposium is the University of Montevallo en route to now one of the most popular sessions at the becoming an educator and business leader. symposium; people love it, he said. Gauntt developed a professional presence Gauntt said he sees the value of updating in the music world that began with his events, just like the RTA Executive solo work at Indian Springs School in Committee evolved, as essential to vibrancy Birmingham. That led to performances within any organization and said he enjoys throughout Europe and on the stage of the crafting engaging, must-attend sessions. Lincoln Center before the age of 17. His Gauntt and his wife, Susan. For example, because of the procurement work in theater also had depth, as he was a session’s success, RTA went from having regular, with lead and supporting roles, in now reside in Jacksonville, Fla., and Dallas, no industry leaders attending Birmingham’s Children’s Theatre, Actors Texas, respectively. conferences to dozens attending today. Theater, and multiple shows for the city’s After college, Gauntt was awarded a Gauntt said the next evolution in events and Jewish Community Center. scholarship to the Cumberland School leadership will be part of the fun and among In college, Gauntt collaborated in script of Law at Samford University but declined the first of many challenges for the new and music writing to produce the winning to continue studies there after his first association leader. musical of the 1976 Annual College Night semester. “I learned what I did not Another challenge for RTA’s new competition at the University of Montevallo, want to pursue rather quickly, so even executive director will be learning about where he also operated audio production though I could have continued, I decided on the changes over the last 20 years in wood services for the university’s Music another path.” preservation technology and preparing Department. That path led him to the wood treatment members for the next wave of innovation. Just prior to his 20th birthday, Gauntt industry in 1979. That’s when Osmose “It is a demanding hill to climb, but I know graduated, Cum Laude, with a bachelor of Wood Preserving Company of America from my experience with Ashley to date science degree in biology and chemistry. He (OWPCA), as it was known at the time, that our selection for executive director and his wife, Susan, were married in 1985 offered him a job. Over the next seven is definitely up to the task,” Gauntt said. and raised Marshall and Kristin Gauntt, who years, Gauntt rose to the position of director

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of codes and product acceptance and made a name for himself in the industry. His work there laid the groundwork for future efforts in associations as he became OWPCA’s primary liaison with several wood product and code groups. Gauntt’s primary tasks for Osmose involved fire-retardants that had been reengineered into the LHC brand—a low-hygroscopic formulation. Gauntt was given the task of marketing this new product to code bodies and and then selling the change to plants across the country. He had become an expert on the technical side of fire-retardant formulations, and, as the industry’s fire- retardant liabilities mounted over the years, Gauntt’s expertise was vital to the company. In 1986, prior to joining RTA, Gauntt Steve Thomas, then host of the PBS show, This Old House, learns from Gauntt joined an Osmose licensee, which also about Randall Brothers’ special place in Atlanta's craftmanship history. had a distinct century-long heritage. Randall Brothers Inc. (RBI), a family Gauntt recalled one of the last big change from such a secure position at RBI business established in 1885, was also an changes he played a role in at RBI. “RBI to a new employer seemed unfair to his architectural millwork and multi-channel was almost invisible to the population family. He later confided to his wife that he building materials distribution business. boom occurring in Atlanta. Every native wished the family situation had coalesced Gauntt had known the company primarily as Atlantan knew about us, but we had earlier so he had not felt compelled to turn an Osmose customer since it also operated missed connecting with the influx of new down the original RTA offer. Later, Susan a treating plant at the upscale commercial residents.” encouraged him to reach out to RTA to see and residential site now known as Atlantic That’s when Gauntt reached out to Steve if the position was still open. It was, and Station in downtown Atlanta. Thomas of This Old House fame and invited RTA offered the job again. After spending a year learning aspects him to join RBI at the Atlanta Home Show Once taking on the position, there were of the business, he was appointed vice in spring 1985. “Steve and I got along very a few challenges, including opening a president and worked there until 1995. well. We recently reconnected and shared new office in Fayetteville, Ga., and hiring Within two weeks of joining RBI, the our memories of Randall Brothers’ big another person to support the mission. “I treating plant burned, and Gauntt worked foray into the retail marketplace,” Gauntt had never opened an office from scratch, diligently alongside Osmose engineers to said, adding this was a time of significant and I remember the feeling of loneliness, help get the plant back up and running, learning. standing in the office space by myself after managing to do so within six weeks. “As in the case of branding a new fire having signed a three-year lease,” Gauntt “I remember having to turn valves and retardant and stepping into operations at said. He soon hired RTA Administrator operate the plant manually by myself for the multi-channeled, 100-year-old, family- Debbie Corallo. “She was there for me and a while.” Gauntt said it was humbling and owned Atlanta building materials icon, the association and made it so much easier highly educational as he was able to learn I learned a great deal during the early to get to work for the members,” he said. first-hand the operations side of wood years of my career. Without these Corallo and Gauntt have shared the same treating plants. experiences, I would not have been prepared office space and been working together to tackle RTA’s work with the same side-by-side since the headquarters in Institutionalizing Knowledge insights and ideas.” Fayetteville opened in January 1996. According to Gauntt, many industry “It is so hard to believe my journey businesses are working with an older Joining RTA started with Jim and RTA almost 25 years workforce—hard-working people with When Gauntt was first approached about ago,” Corallo said. “I can’t express how vast knowledge who have served their RTA’s executive director position, he wonderful it has been working for this companies loyally for a long time. Now, the turned down the offer, citing too much terrific association and getting to know industry is charged with transferring this uncertainty in his personal life. Recently the fabulous people in the industry. I am knowledge and hiring and training the next remarried and with custody of his two genuinely grateful for the many friends generation to manage these companies. young children, the idea of also making a I have made because of it, and I am

20 CROSSTIES • MARCH/APRIL 2020 RTA TRANSITION also very thankful to Jim for giving me Tom Loadman, who retired as senior vice decisions. And through it all, I developed this opportunity. It has been extremely president, Railroad Products and Services, great respect for Jim as the head of RTA educational in so many ways working with for Koppers Inc., said he remembers Jim but, more importantly, as a teammate and Jim, and he has always challenged me to replacing Randy Wingard as executive friend. Jim combined intelligence with keep up with his vision for RTA. I am director. He said Gauntt had big shoes to integrity and dedication and gave the confident the new director will be good for fill. “Coinciding with the timing of Jim industry everything he had. I wish Jim the association—just as Jim has been—and taking the reins, Class I Railroads were nothing but the best in retirement and offer will take it to the next level and beyond.” reworking the Class I landscape through sincere thanks for a job well done.” The next challenge came in working a series of acquisitions and mergers. Jim Gauntt was offered the position of with members who fought intensely among couldn’t have inherited a more challenging executive director when Randy Wingard themselves. So, during his first Executive landscape, which was unlike anything retired. Wingard, a fellow Alabamian, Committee meeting in January 1996, the industry had ever seen. Leadership had 40 years of involvement in strategic Gauntt advised the group that while he was more important than ever, and Jim and financial management in Fortune 500 didn’t know what they had done in the past, proved to be a key catalyst in helping companies, primarily Koppers Company they would operate by consensus. RTA and its members navigate through a of Pittsburgh. Wingard knew Gauntt from The association was stable yet was in very challenging time. This defined Jim’s previous industry connections and knew he need of a growth plan. career and gave him the confidence to lead was respected in his field. Once on board and as improvements the organization. The association saw in Wingard suggested the first thing Gauntt began to galvanize, the tenacity of the Jim a leader they could trust and depend do would be to lead a strategic planning members to support the organization on. The RTA recently celebrated its 100- process. In response, Gauntt and Bill Gadd, impressed him. “It was either that or they year anniversary. What a testimony to the who was RTA president at the time, along were letting the new guy have just enough fact that Jim has been at the helm for a with past president Tony Chambers, created rope to…,” he laughed. “Well, with that quarter century helping shape the RTA for a strategic planning committee that included extra length of rope, we were able to pull the next 100 years. The entire time Jim both railroaders and suppliers. He continued together and avoid the association drifting was executive director, I was running the to push meetings throughout that first year from its purpose. We charted and steered a Railroad Products Division for Koppers. and in the process developed a mission steady course for the future.” Over Jim’s career, we spent many hours statement and plan that is still in place discussing strategy, challenges and key today. It was during those meetings that the

Gauntt, far right, presents Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) with an RTA “Wood Tie” at Railroad Day on the Hill.

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plan emerged. RTA does not just serve During Gauntt’s tenure, solid funding least 10 million ties are now dual treated treaters; it serves all suppliers and customers and market data were shared by competitors annually. and user groups—treaters, railroads and through the association. Gauntt hails the RTA Past President Bill Gadd, retired, manufacturers. RTA was and remains in the data collected through the “Two-Cent- Appalachian Timber Services, offered the center, connecting, facilitating and serving Per-Tie” program as critical for members. following words of congratulations. “Just all facets of the industry. For RTA to expand the value of that data, wanted to take the time to congratulate you Gary Hunter, retired from Union Pacific he sought professional advice and insight on your very successful tenure as executive Railroad, recalls Gauntt joining the RTA from a colleague, Fred Norrell, who had director of the Railway Tie Association. It team. “He came to RTA during a critical been a top economist at Alabama Power is one you can be proud of. I remember well period in the history of the wood tie,” Co. As the go-to person for forecasting at the challenges that confronted us both as Hunter said. “His expertise in organizing Alabama Power’s parent company, Southern you took control of the future guidance of and leading RTA in becoming the leading Company, Norrell’s skills were employed a very anxious group of tie producers and trade organization in this critical area was for econometric modeling for electricity and other supporting companies. I say ‘anxious,’ his mission, and he accomplished that and predictive use, which helped determine how which was a result of Randy (Wingard) so much more. He was able to coordinate much generating capacity Alabama would stepping down while the larger tie producers the best efforts of the railroad, suppliers, need for five- to 20-year plans. Gauntt struggled to determine who would dictate researchers and others to maximize the collaborated with Norrell to determine RTA RTA’s future. But, after many, sometimes impact of the association.” member needs. confrontational, meetings the ‘anxious’ Gauntt helped RTA focus on five Gauntt and Norrell developed an feelings subsided, and you were able to key areas: member education, product econometric model based on historical data convince all involved that working together development, research and development, to successfully implement annual demand was in everyone’s best interest. This enabled communication and administration. He forecasting at RTA. “RTA has been able RTA to grow in size and strength and facilitated changes in the by-laws so to build an extremely reliable system that become an excellent industry advocate for the nine-member board could include ensures that the best correlation is achieved the wooden railway tie. You can retire with sawmillers and at least two railroaders. with actual market demand for ties,” Gauntt pride for a job well done, my friend. You The maximum number of direct producers said. The data of production and inventory were the ‘tie plate’ that held the industry was limited to five. Gauntt said he believes that members provide along with annual together. Be well, stay safe, and relax with the addition of sawmillers and railroaders data from railroads expands and improves those you love around you.” to the Executive Committee was the most the modeling’s accuracy. The model Today, as the country battles COVID- important development in RTA history to continues to evolve over time and has 19—possibly the biggest world order this day. been used to help the shortline industry disruptor since WWII—Gauntt said the document the positive effects of the 45G industry and RTA will rise to the challenge. tax credit. In fact, RTA has already had a major Gauntt's tenure spanned 25 years that success in having and wood revolutionized an industry. George W. Caric, treaters recognized as essential businesses vice president of marketing for Stella-Jones when the state of Pennsylvania issued Corp., commented on the many changes its initial stay-at-home order. “Members that occurred during that time. “Kenny asked us for help, and RTA responded Dailey (also of Stella-Jones) and I were within 24 hours. Over the next 48 hours, talking the other day in amazement that Gov. Tom Wolf issued revisions to include Jim’s been in charge of our association for our members in the essential business 25 years. There have been many changes exemption,” he said. over those years with lots of ups and downs, For the next 25 years, RTA should including a Great Recession and 9/11. And, continue to focus on increasing membership, through it all, Jim’s leadership was solid growing awareness and engagement, and in making sure RTA stayed focused on the continuing the new wave of innovation in promotion of our industry and keeping the the wood preservation technology. This may treated wood crosstie as the premier product seem like boilerplate wish-list items, but it used in railroad track maintenance and is nothing more than the truth. .” Gauntt said, “We have a never-ending Adding railroaders to RTA's Executive Despite all the hurdles over the past job. Like the church on the hill, we have the Committee is an accomplishment Gauntt said he is particularly proud of. Here, two-and-a-half decades, Gauntt said he is same message and mission every week.” Gauntt is pictured with Kristine Storm of grateful for making lifelong friends, keeping Is this trite? “Never. The message and the Genesee & Wyoming who is also a crossties vibrant, and for dual-treatment purpose never change. The only thing that member of the Executive Committee. acceptance in railroad environments; at changes is the person on the lead horse.”

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Over the years, so many people have championed RTA, and Gauntt said it would be impossible to thank all of them. But his industry associates’ thoughts could be summed up by AREMA’s Beth Caruso. “The industry simply won’t be the same without Jim Gauntt. Through my years of knowing Jim, he is one of the nicest and most professional individuals I know. Jim encompasses what it means to be a true professional, and it’s been a pleasure knowing and working with him. I wish him the best, always.” Gauntt embraced the expressions “consensus” and “a rising tide lifts all ships” to ensure all members stick together, retain focus and avoid distraction. He said he hopes this perspective will serve RTA and its new executive director well in the future. 

Gauntt receives the 2019 AREMA Award for Service to the Industry.

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An RTA Career Without Guardrails

This photo captures the spectacular view that Gauntt and Broadfoot were treated to after their hike to the Grand Canyon together in 1997.

Jeff Broadfoot, two-time RTA president our trip, Jim suggested we take a side and friend of Jim Gauntt shared a story he trip and do just that. At the time, Hoover thought poignant in reflecting on Gauntt’s Dam was still giving tours so we learned career with RTA. Broadfoot is president of all about why and how the dam was built, Natural Wood Solutions, and he offered the including all the equipment and manpower following comments: needed, which was fascinating to me. After visiting the dam, we got our map, talked Jim is a great friend whom I have known to some locals and found we could visit for more than 30 years. I first met Jim in the less traveled south rim of the Grand Jim Gauntt, left, and Jeff Broadfoot award 1990 but really got to know him when I Canyon just north of the Hualapai Indian TTCI’s Carmen Trevizo with RTA’s Award of Merit during the Annual Conference in joined the RTA Executive Committee in Reservation. Lake Tahoe, Nev., in 2011. 1995 while working for Kerr-McGee. What they didn’t tell us was that in order Jim has always been a great uniter, to get there we would have to take some for once, neither Jim nor I had anything and, over the years, he and the Executive very narrow and harrowing winding roads to say. We simply looked out, took in the Committee led RTA through an unprece- to get there, which took quite a bit longer beauty, and then later marveled at what God dented transformational period in education than we thought. When we arrived, we had created! I am so happy I got to spend and collaboration for the association. One were met by two members of the tribe who time with Jim taking life’s less traveled of my favorite memories with Jim is the trip were just having lunch. We gave them our roads. we made to Las Vegas in 1997 looking for $5, and then looked at each other and said, We took many other enjoyable trips over a venue to hold the 1999 RTA Convention ‘OK, what now?’ They pointed to a trail the years, but this one for me stands out the for my first term as president. and without any more instructions, simply most. So, to my friend, Jim Gauntt, I say Over three days we checked out many said take the trail this way and the canyon this, may God bless you and Susan in the potential sites in and around Vegas, and on will be there and, oh by the way, be careful next phase of your life, and I pray you con- the last day decided to take the afternoon because we have no guard rails! tinue to explore and take all of those less off to catch some of the local sites. So, we did just that and were treated to traveled roads, my friend. I had never been to the Hoover Dam or one of the most spectacular views I have Thank you for the opportunity to help the Grand Canyon, so, on the last day of ever seen. No guard rails, no people, and, commemorate my good friend. 

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