Watco's South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad Receives CRISI Funding
The newsletter for Watco Companies March 2020, Volume 21, Issue 3
I-135 I-35 BN
Watco's SouthHutchinson KansasBN Newton & Oklahoma RailroadUP receivesHwy 69 KCS CRISI funding
Hwy 71
UP Customers on Watco’s first rail line, Kansas City To Many Watco team members End of main track Garden Plain I-135 UP Neodesha Sub BN the South Kansas & OklahomaKingman Rail- Humboldt worked for months on the project WICHITA Moline Sub road (SKOL), will be seeing a change I-35 and provided valuable assistance Hwy 400 in service in the coming years thanks Hwy 400 Chanute with their areas of expertise. BN Hwy 69 Liberal to receiving a $27 million award. The Fredonia Earlton Laura McNichol, Watco senior New Salem Moline Thayer PITTSBURG Cornell U.S. Department of Transportation’sRago Burden vice president, government and Conway Springs Hwy 400 Cherokee BN Federal Railroad Administration’s NEODESHA industry relations, and project Cherryvale I-35 Oxford Carona (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastruc- Independence lead, had the privilege of being KellogWINFIELD Hwy 69 Tulsa Sub Altamont COLUMBUS ture and Safety Improvements (CRI- Oswego Sherwin with many of those who helped Liberty UP I-44 Caney BN SI) Program granted the award to the KANSAS UP when she received the exciting COFFEYVILLE Kansas Department of Transportation OKLAHOMA news. MISSOURI
BN UP 71 Hwy for use on the SKOL project, with the I-44 “I had just finished a presen- Dewey Oklahoma Department of Transpor- BN tation at the Railroad General Bartlesville Neosho tation as a match participant. Watco ManagersKCS Summit and saw I had will be investing $12.1 million, Vinita a message on my cell phone.
making the total investment in the When I sawARKANSAS who it was from, BN infrastructure $40.6 million. Enid I-44 I knew exactly what the call Perry Pawnee Collinsville The goal of the program is to Owasso Claremore was about, and I stepped up in enhance track infrastructure to BN PC front of the team and played the Tulsa Port Authority TULSA eliminate capacity inefficiencies and SS Verdigris message from Senator Moran, Stillwater Sand Springs I-44 River UP increase track speed from 10 mphUP I-35 announcing that we had received Sapulpa KCS to 25 mph on the SKOL’s Tulsa, BN Wagoner the funds." BN Moline and Neodesha Subdivisions “It was the best feeling to see of the SKOL. This will be achieved the faces of the team members through upgrades to track structure Infrastructure upgrades are the costliest who had worked so hard on get- and substructure such as rail, ties, ballast, surface, constraint on short line railroads. The heavier ting the funding when they heard the news,” Mc- turnouts and bridges. Of the 433-mile network, 286,000 lb. cars are supplanting the lighter-load- Nichol added. “This was a very robust applica- 239 miles will be upgraded enabling the tracks ed cars and are now the industry standard, espe- tion process, and I’d like to thank all of the Watco to handle additional stress caused by transport- cially on the nation’s Class I railroads. Lighter- team members who assisted. Without them, it ing heavier railcars. With the completion of this loaded cars cause operational chokepoints due would never have happened.” project, 95 percent of the SKOL will be able to to insufficient operating capacity on main lines, Team members included Jerry Waun, SKOL safely transport 286,000 lb. railcars. in rail yards and in locations where railroads general manager; Brandon Craddock, SKOL “We’re excited to see the improvement our cus- interchange with each other. Railcars with larger roadmaster; Shellee Currier, sales manager; Neal tomers will experience in transit times through- loading capacity provide higher operating effi- Jacobs, division engineer; Scott Adams, VP of out the entire Kansas and Oklahoma railroad ciencies by reducing labor, fuel and maintenance engineering; Ailsa von Dobeneck, AVP govern- network,” said Jimmy Patterson, senior vice costs while increasing capacity and synergy for ment relations; Caleb Dellasega, assistant ac- president of sales. “The railcar movements in the rail operations and rail shippers. counting manager; P.J. Forbes, VP of operations; region are so interconnected that our customers With the track upgrades, including a proposed Steve Coomes, SVP of operations; Angela Schae- on the Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad and Stillwa- 140,000 new crossties, the SKOL will be able fer, accounting manager; Ali Denzel, operations ter Central Railroad will benefit from this funding to operate at Class 2 levels safely. On the Tulsa accountant; and Carla Ewing, VP of sales. as well.” Sub, for example, the SKOL is restricted today to Waun, said, “The SKOL team is more excited U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, R-Kan., assisted running at 10 mph or less. The rail line averages about receiving the grant than anyone. The im- with the team’s efforts in obtaining the funding. 35-40 track-caused slow orders a month, and a provements are changes the team has wanted to “Farmers and businesses that have made their fully loaded train of 100 railcars takes more than see for a long time, they were just very expensive homes in rural communities rely on rail transpor- 26 hours and three crews to make the round trip upgrades to take on."w tation to move their products to markets around between Owasso, Oklahoma, and Cherryvale, He added, "The improvements will alleve frus- the state and country,” said Sen. Moran. “This Kansas. Post-construction, the efficiency gains trations our team members had in not being able grant will allow the South Kansas &Oklahoma will reduce that same trip by half and slow orders to serve our customers in the most efficient man- Railroad to modernize their railways, increasing by 75 percent. Besides boosting safety, this ner. Being able to move at higher speeds, reduc- the speed of transportation and permitting heavier project will improve and enhance trade opportu- ing trip times, and turning cars around quicker is shipments to move across the region. I’m excited nities and will have significant positive impacts a benefit to all parties involved." for the new economic opportunities this grant on regional economic vitality, innovation and It will take a few months to collect bids and get will afford our farmers and manufacturers in rural performance while leveraging state and federal materials ordered but Waun is expecting to see Kansas.” funds with private capital. the work starting in late Fall 2020. Winners of January Winter Freeze bonuses selected by Tracie VanBecelaere cant hazard, both to the Managing Editor community and the team. As part of the corrective Watco's 2019-2020 Winter Freeze Safety pro- action, the team placed a gram has hit the midway point and is still going locomotive on the head strong. The January winners display the emphasis end of the movement, on teamwork, especially when it comes to safety. eliminating the need Several submissions consisted of teams of two or for a trainman to ride a more as they noticed issues, discussed them and long shove and be better then reported them. protected, as well as pro- Charlene Huskey, administrative assistant, at Trenton Jones vide a better warning to Mechanical Division Elizabeth, New Jersey, terminal shift 2 (l-r): Kyle the Pittsburg, Kansas, office, made a suggestion Outbound Inspector vehicle traffic on the line. Pillsworth, Timothy Pillsworth, Lawrence Rizzo, to increase the training for cyber and communica- Fitzgerald, Georgia Trenton Jones, out- Joel Santana, Raymond Sepulveda, and Brian tions security and has bound inspector, at the Pillsworth. (Not pictured: Oscar Baeza). been active in requesting Fitzgerald, Georgia, was a huge team effort, a lot of folks worked on it additional training for mechanical shop, noticed a torch hose had been and figured out how to resolve the issue." office team members. Her patched with electrical tape in an attempt to fix a Jon Beach, mechanic, Ghent, Kentucky, terminal corrective action sugges- gas leak. Knowing this was an unacceptable fix, noticed the cross member tions are leading to an Trenton tagged the equipment, notified safety and on the frame of a facil- increase in training avail- removed the equipment from service pending re- ity dump truck he was able for security, as well placement. All other equipment was inspected for working on was broken. as general OSHA safety. unauthorized repairs, and team members discussed If not corrected, it could The safety team will be what is required to inspect gas lines, and what to lead to extensive dam- rolling out a program in do if wear is shown. Charlene Huskey age to the driveshaft and Administrative Assistant the near future to better Andre Simon, at the transmission, or cause Pittsburg, Kansas prepare all team mem- Hockley, Texas, me- injury to the operators in bers on communications chanical shop, identified a the area. This spurred an security. This will also long-standing practice of inspection of all similar Jon Beach be offered in Spanish to be more inclusive and to using an air hose with- vehicles to identify and Terminal & Ports Division ensure we can impact all of our team. out a valve on the end to repair issues. Mechanic Team members Andrew Mitchell and Branson blow off water and mate- Morgan Giesy, op- Ghent, Kentucky Herring at the Bogalusa Bayou Railroad reported a rials. This could create an erator, Fryburg, North near miss they caught while switching a customer impact injury if the hose Dakota, terminal, noticed who receives loaded boxcars inside their facility. were dropped while under Andre Simon some of the facility radios While in the engine, Andy determined the hi-cube pressure. Valves were Mechanical Division had their talk alert signal boxcar would hit an overhead pipe in the facil- installed on the hoses, and Quality Assurance rendered inoperative or ity when moved. Andy notified Branson, and he the facility was inspected Inspector were not activated when Hockley, Texas double-checked the clearance. Branson discovered to identify similar condi- they were put in service. that the car sat lower tions, resulting in several The alert lets the team due to its loaded weight unprotected hoses being fitted with check valves to know when they are when initially brought in, allow shutting off the pressure without resorting to transmitting. The issue and it allowed the car to "kinking" the hose. was identified on sev- Morgan Giesy clear. He requested that Scott Smith, a bosun at the Elizabeth, New eral radios, and all were Terminal & Ports Division the facility reload some Jersey, terminal, worked with his fellow team reprogrammed, which al- Operator Fryburg, North Dakota product into the car to members on an issue on the location's dock. While leviated a potential safety weigh it down, allowing the dock had ladders at each end, when two barges issue when issuing radio it to clear the pipe. The were secured alongside, a gap existed between communications at the facility. facility was not initially the barges. If a person were to fall in the water, When Leon Norrgard and James Marr, at the Branson Herring designed for that type of it would require a lengthy and challenging swim Conductor Omaha, Nebraska, terminal, were unloading coils around a barge to access one of the ladders. The Bogalusa Bayou Railroad car, so the attention to from a container, they discovered that a different detail by the crew averted suggestion led to the installation of an additional forklift was needed to unload a larger than usual a potentially serious inci- rescue ladder that can be deployed in the middle of coil. As it was raised, the forklift wheels began to dent, and they were able to rectify the situation by the dock, making rescue much easier and safer. push through the working together. The team performed an overall Andrew Jones, Elizabeth supervisor, said, "This wood floor of the job hazard analysis of the facility, and the lessons transport contain- learned will extend to any er. The movement future equipment arrivals was stopped, and at the facility. a different proce- Grand Elk Railroad dure was used to Conductor Kyle Cornelius identified a hazard on the unload the large newly re-opened Hastings load. This ac- lead. The community was tion resulted in not used to seeing traffic a review of the James Marr (l) on this previously little- Elizabeth, New Jersey, terminal shift 1 (l-r): Scott processes and and Leon Norrgard used track and paid little Kyle Cornelius Howe, Stephen Krupp, Thomas Napoli, Corey equipment for this Terminal & Ports Division Operators attention to the crossing Conductor Hornig, Scott A. Smith, Michael Mazzone and movement in the Grand Elk Railroad Omaha, Nebraska signals. This was a signifi- Scott C. Smith. future.
2 • The Dispatch • March 2020 Six-year-old rings bell to celebrate Oklahoma her final cancer treatment reviews by Jay Benedict Digital Communication and Social Media Specialist short line Hope Drummondo is a strong little girl. At three years old, she was diagnosed with Acute tax credit Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Now, she is six years old, and on February 26, she rang the bell as she Oklahoma State Representative Brian Hill finished her last treatment and is cancer free. understands the importance of rail to the A little more than two years ago, Richardjames state's economy and is working to help get an Drummundo had just joined the Watco team as increase to the state's short line tax credit bill. an operations manager with Watco Mechanical The proposed legislation would increase the Services, overseeing the Mill Creek, Oklahoma, allowable tax credit per mile from $1,500 to Hatton, Arkansas, and Dallas, Texas, dedicated $5,000 for eligible infrastructure expenditures mobile repair locations. He and his wife, Court- with a 5-year sunset. ney, were in the process of moving the family Watco operates three short lines with 400 from California to Dallas for the job. Hope was miles of track in the state of Oklahoma. A sec- staying with Courtney’s father in California until tion of the 275-mile Stillwater Central Rail- they were settled in. road is located in the representative's district. A couple weeks before Christmas, her father Ryan Pidde of Mickelson & Company, LLC, called Courtney and said Hope wasn’t feeling and Ken Lucht of Watco Companies visited well. Courtney planned to travel back to Califor- with Oklahoma lawmakers in late February to nia for Christmas. Hope wasn’t getting better, and discuss the improved state short line railroad Six-year-old Hope Drummondo celebrated her she told her dad she’d meet them at the emergen- last cancer treatment by ringing the bell at the tax credit bill. Michelson & Company is re- cy room when she arrived. After running some Children's Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. sponsible for managing the tax credits for the tests, they got the devestating news on Christmas short lines and customers. morning; Hope had leukemia. to thank (Executive Chairman) Rick Webb, Cam- Representative Hill of Mustang, Okla., cur- She was in the hospital for 10 days, and had eron, and (SVP of Operations) Steve Coomes for rently serves as Vice-Chairman of the House to stay in Loma Linda, Cal., for seven months all their support and everything they’ve done for Committee on Appropriations and Budget and before the doctors cleared her to travel to Texas us." supports the short line industry tax credit. to reunite with the rest of the family. Courtney Doctor visits continued in Dallas, and the teams Lucht said, "We appreciate Representative stayed with her and Richard regularly made the at the repair locations continued to step up. Hill's support, and we hope to get something 19-hour drive back and forth. Finally, when they “We’re so grateful for Richard’s team members passed by the end of this term. There are were ready to return to Dallas together, the fam- in Dallas, Hatton, and Mill Creek. They covered 1,200 miles of short line rail in the state of ily prepared to make the long drive again. for him during his trips to California and any Oklahoma, and this would be beneficial in “That’s when Cameron (Lundy, director of other time he needed to be gone. Thank you for maintaining the infrastructure to keep our operations – Southwest) stepped in. He talked all your support,” said Courtney. customers' products moving. It would be used with Mr. Webb, and they said, ‘There’s no way All the support, prayers, and Hope’s strength for structural upgrades, such as replacing ties you’re driving 19 hours with Hope,’ and got us paid off. She’s now six years old and living life and fixing bridges." all a flight to Dallas,” said Courtney. “We’d like cancer-free. Stefan Loeb elected President of MARS The Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS) elected Watco's Stefan Loeb as president of the organization at the annual Winter Meeting earlier this year. The 2020 MARS officers include Loeb, First Vice President Carrie Evans, Iowa Interstate Railroad, and Second Vice President Kathy Bathurst, CSX Transportation. The organization's goals are to provide a medium through which the members can gain a better understanding of current rail issues; to pro- mote the interchange of ideas in anticipation of rail equipment supply and service requirements; to encourage and promote operating efficiency through maximum loading, prompt and proper handling of rail equipment; educate members on Watco EVP and Chief Commercial Officer Stefan Oklahoma Representative Brian Hill (center) Loeb, (left), is congratulated on being elected met with Ryan Pidde of Mickelson & Com- new developments relating to the transportation president of the Midwest Association of Rail pany, LLC (left) and Ken Lucht, Watco's AVP, industry, and make members aware of state and Shippers (MARS) by outgoing president Tom Government and Industry Relations to discuss national legislation affecting rail transportation. Surma at the 2020 Winter Meeting in January. the Oklahoma short line tax credit.
The Dispatch • March 2020 • 3 #WatcoMoves - Idaho Potatoes by Jay Benedict Digital Communication and Social Media Specialist
Commodity: Potatoes Customer: Corey Brothers Produce Location: Charleston, West Virginia - Kanawha River Railroad
Short line railroads often play the crucial role of the first-mile and last- mile service providers for rail customers. Sometimes, it works out so that Watco's short lines get to provide that service at both ends of a cross-country move. That's the case for the potatoes arriving at Corey Brothers Produce in Charleston, West Virginia on the Kanawha River Railroad. They start their journey on the Eastern Idaho Railroad at Sun-Glo in Sugar City, Idaho. "Corey Brothers is a long-standing rail customer in West Virginia's capital city and we're honored to play a minor part in their overall business. To em- phasize the uniqueness of rail and Watco's connectivity in the U.S., the same potatoes offloaded in West Virginia on the KNWA were first loaded about two-weeks prior on Watco's Eastern Idaho Railroad in Sugar City, Idaho – a These potatoes are being unloaded from a railcar that had traveled across genuine 'farm to table' Watco experience," said Chase Gunnoe, KNWA sales the country from Watco's Eastern Idaho Railroad to its sister railroad, the manager. Kanawa River Railroad. Corey Brothers is a 3rd generation, family-owned produce supplier that Brother's warehouse supervisor, says the cost savings is what drives them to distributes fresh vegetables throughout West Virginia and the surround- use rail. ing states. So, Idaho, famous for its potatoes, was a natural place for Corey "Since it's a cross-country shipment, rail is our best option. The only thing Brothers to source potatoes for their customers. Several years ago, they holding us back from shipping more by rail is the time it takes for some partnered with Sun-Glo, and started bringing the product in. shipments to arrive," Thomas said. Corey Brothers currently receives about two railcars each month. Each car If you're around that tri-state area of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and contains around 130,000 pounds of potatoes and transports a variety of 14 Ohio, and beyond, the next time you're picking up potatoes at the store or different sizes of packages and containers, depending on the needs of their enjoying some fresh fries, there's a chance two Watco railroads provided that customers. From their warehouse, the potatoes are distributed to food service critical first-mile and last-mile rail service that helped bring it to you. providers and retail stores across West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, "Corey Brothers Produce is a valued customer on the KNWA. A single Ohio, and Virginia. Some customers also resell the bulk potatoes, extending refrigerated railcar provides the Kanawha Valley – and the neighboring Tri- their reach from Cincinnati down to Tennessee. State area with an abundance of fresh Idaho potatoes," Gunnoe. "Whether The potatoes are unloaded into their warehouse, and then put onto pallets its consumers at a local produce market or kids at a school cafeteria, the and loaded into trucks for delivery to their customers. Barry Thomas, Corey potatoes we deliver in a single railcar help feed thousands." C1st Technologies Division B meetings held in Elizabeth, New Jersey Scholarship Available
Watco partner C1st Technologies recently cre- ated a scholarship fund to benefit two graduat- ing high school seniors. Each recipient of the award will recieve $1,500 and the scholar- ship is open to students across the United States. Students do not need to have an affiliation with C1st Technologies to AVP Operations Paul Suarino held a meeting in Elizabeth, New Jersey, with the leaders he sup- apply. ports last month. They covered topics including behavioral based interviewing, performance Applicants need to be planning to pursue an reviews, progressive discipline, and safety. Pictured are team members who participated in the undergraduate degree in Computer Science or a training (l-r): Paul Suarino, AVP (Division B); Sunil Bangari, terminal manager (Brooklyn, Bronx, related field and must graduate with a 2.5 GPA. Queens); John Moschella – terminal manager (MTS - Hamilton and Southwest Brooklyn); Chris Apply using the link below, deadline is April Jackson, terminal manager (MTS - Elizabeth); Albert Perez, terminal manager (Linden); Wyndle 15, 2020. Darby, supervisor (Bayway); Andrew Jones – supervisor (MTS – Elizabeth); Gabe Chavez, crane https://www.c1sttechnologies.com/community manager (MTS Sites) and Rob Hill, operations support.
4 • The Dispatch • March 2020 Every day is a new day in the transportation industry by Jay Benedict company, though. Her brother, Austin Norris, is a Digital Communication and Social Media team lead on the rail logistics side of WSCS, and Specialist her mother, Lynda Patterson, is an SVP of sales, logistics for WSCS as well, and helped build We always say no two days are the same in the WSCS from the ground up. But she didn’t rely on transportation industry, but as part of the Watco those connections to get her position. Supply Chain Services (WSCS) team, that’s defi- “I won’t say I knew transportation, but I heard nitely the case. Transportation coordinators play them talk about it, and thought, ‘Wow, I feel like a key role at WSCS. They’re the link between this might be something I can do, and if it’s not our customers and the truck drivers that deliver something I can do, maybe there’s somewhere their goods from point A to point B. With all the else within Watco.’ But I kind of found that this is variables that come into play with over-the-road my home. I can talk all day long, and I don’t lose freight transportation, things can get pretty hectic, my personality,” Courtney said. “Yeah, I do have but that’s one of WSCS transportation coordina- family within Watco, and it helps to know people, tor Courtney Norris’s favorite part of the job. but I did this myself. My mom didn’t even know “I really enjoy that it’s constantly changing, I had an interview. I’m here to prove myself, not constantly different. It’s not for everyone. You to say, ‘I’m Lynda Patterson’s daughter.’” definitely have to be flexible and work in a stren- Aside from the fast-paced nature of the trans- uous environment,” Courtney laughed. “We’re portation industry, she also enjoys learning the busy all the time, but it’s great.” Courtney Norris enjoys the environment she types of products that are in the trailers she sees Courtney joined the Watco team in July 2019, works in as a transportation coordinator where no on the road every day, and her favorite aspect is so she’s been on the job for about eight months. two days are alike. her team’s dynamic. Her team is based on the Overland Park, Kan- “Our team is pretty young, but there’s a mix sas, office, and focuses mainly on over-the-road tomers and generating new business. Knowing of ages. I’m the youngest at 22, but all of our transportation. Put simply, her job is to get freight what to say, how to make yourself and Watco personalities work really well together, and I’ve from point A to point B. Sometimes, she reaches stand out, and being able to have difficult conver- never once felt uncomfortable,” she said. “Obvi- out to customers, and often, they reach out to her. sations are skills that develop over time. As team ously, we have strong personalities on the team. Transportation coordinators play the middleman members do this, their portfolios of customers We have challenges to overcome every day, so role between the customers who need their prod- grow. we all have to work very well together, and I re- ucts shipped and the truck drivers that actually “At Watco, I definitely think there’s a home ally love that we do. I can be myself every day.” move the product. for everyone, but this job isn’t for everyone,” Outside of work, Courtney’s two-and-a-half “We do the dirty work so our customers don’t she said. “You get told no a lot. You just have to year old son keeps her busy. When she has free have to. We coordinate with the drivers, we coor- overcome the adversity and get over that hump. time, though, anything outdoors usually grabs dinate with the shippers and receivers, and make Someone like myself, I have a big personality, her attention, and as a former college volleyball sure everything goes smoothly along the way,” so it’s a little easier for me to do something like player, she loves anything athletic. Craft beer Courtney said. “Obviously, there are obstacles that. Whereas I’ve seen others struggle. Yes, we is one of her passions too. Courtney visits new throughout, but we adapt when they come about, are out there looking for customers, but that’s not breweries whenever she has the chance. and a lot of that comes with knowledge of the what we do on a day-to-day basis.” “I’m actually trying to get into moving freight industry. I’m only eight months in, but I feel like She came to the Watco team with no transpor- for breweries too,” Courtney laughed. “I love I’m pretty knowledgeable at this point because tation experience, fresh out of college. Court- the fermentation process and everything about it. every day is different.” ney graduated from Missouri Valley College in I like to spend time with friends, my son keeps Courtney says the job can be stressful some- Marshall, Missouri, in December 2019 with a me on my toes, I visit breweries when I can, and times. Part of their job is calling potential cus- business degree. She did have family ties to the anything athletic, I love it.”
Overland Park team participates in CPR training If you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse, hands-only CPR is now the recommended form of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It not only increases the likelihood of surviving breathing and cardiac emergencies that occur outside of medical settings, but it's simple to learn and easy to remember. Team members at Watco's Overland Park, Kansas, office received hands-only CPR training from American Heart Association (AHA) representatives the last week of February. Watco VP of Marketing and Communications Cori Kallenbach contacted the AHA to set up the training. The subject is one near and dear to Kallenbach's heart, she celebrated the seventh anniversary of her survival of a pulmonary embolism the same day the training was held. Pulmonary embolisms are the third leading vascular diagnosis after a heart attack and stroke, affecting about 300,000–600,000 Americans each year, and 25-30 percent of all cases are fatal. Kallenbach has since been involved as a volunteer with the AHA and participates in the Cycle Nation - AHA stationary cycling fund- raiser event with her team, the Spin Doctors. This year's event will be held on October 1, and all team members are invited to participate and Team members at the Overland Park, Kansas, office practiced hands-only CPR on help raise funds for heart health. "Rescue Anne" at training held in the office on February 20.
The Dispatch • March 2020 • 5 WATCO U COURSE COMPLETIONS
Fitzgerald, Georgia Hammond, Illionois Foundations of Leadership Team Safety & Improvement Committee
Watco team members at the Fitzgerald mechanical shop recently attend- Team members from our various service areas participated in Team ed a two-day training session on the Foundations of Leadership. Training Member and Safety Improvement Committe (TS&IC) training on Feb- and Development Manager Darl Farris lead the course held in Tifton, ruary 18 and 19 in Hammond, Illinios. Team members completing the Georgia. Team members from the Fitzgerald shop are (l-r), Jackie Brady, course were (l-r), Doug Mitchell, conductor, Whiting, Indiana; Bill Dob- material manager; Steven Everett, supervisor; Eric Davis, supervisor; bin, conductor/engineer, Whiting; Robert O'Connor, railcar mechanic, Jennifer Fore, quality assurance manager; Joseph Lunsford, foreman; and Crown Point, Ind.; Pete Rinzel, railcar repairman, Cudahy, Wisconsin; and John Shealey, EHS manager. Cesar Maldonado, conductor, Whiting. Linden, New Jersey Foundations of Leadership 2020 Boys STEM Lock-in held in Alabama
Five team members recently completed Foundations of Leadership training in Linden, New Jersey, on March 3 and 4. The team members Pictured are some of the attendees of the 2020 Alabama Boys STEM Lock- who successfully completed the course are (l-r), Johnny Lima, crew lead- in held in Birmingham, Alabma. Alabama STEM Executive Director Juanita er, Linden, N.J.; Dwayne Smith, supervisor, Linden, N.J.; Tiffany Poland, Graham is on the right. terminal manager, Crafton, Pennsylvania; Danny Ramesh, supervisor, Brooklyn, New York; and Tommy Damus, supervisor, Bayway, N.J. Watco's All Aboard Foundation recently helped sponsor the 2020 Alabama Boys STEM Lock-In. The annual program rewards young men from the local underrepresented and underserved middle and high schools for maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA and having great character in and out of school. The boys DISPATCH CONTRIBUTIONS were hosted at the Birmingham Sheraton Presidential Suite and treated to a We'd enjoy hearing from you! catered dinner and basketball training with elite coaches from around the city. If you have any story ideas, photos or announcements Rounding out the night was a trip to Topgolf, a private concert and, of course, for the newsletter please send your information to: career enlightenment in STEM. [email protected] Juanita Graham serves as the executive director for the program. Her hus- band, Cedric, is a 15-year team member currently working at the Birmingham Terminal Railway.
6 • The Dispatch • March 2020 March Anniversaries
Royen Congratulations to the following team land, Jared Rahmn, Franklyn Roldan, Zacha- members celebrating March anniversaries. riah Wilson 16 Years: Kent Ainsworth, Brenda Caruthers, Charlene Huskey, Bartolome Marrero, Robert 5 Years: Zachery Barajas, Christopher Black- Martinez, Rocky Ramage, Kevin Watkins 1 Year: Armando Albor Ledesma, Kevin Bain, man, Ronnie Boston, Gavin Burrell, Corey Deronte Baker, Clarence Brindley, Nathaniel Corrick, Michael Dally, Christopher Foxhu- 17 Years: David Bullion, Frank Davis, Roger Brock, Josh Broshears, Gregory Bryan, Brock ber, Gabriel Garmon, Joely Gath, Kenneth Easterling, Mario Garcia, Kenneth Lucht, Bullard, Cody Bussard, Jeffery Bynum, Mi- Green, Natalie Hammond, Neil Heerdink, George Spencer chael Campbell, Jose Carrizales, Barry Cole, Joe James, Benjamin Langan, Anthony Nati, 18 Years: James May, James Napier Eduardo Covarrubias, Victoria Crain, LaTavis Austin Norris, Victor Rivera, William Rowell, 19 Years: Robert Bradfield, Joshua Kramer, Devine, Isaias Diaz, Anthony Fernandez, Daniel Slade, Hayden Slade Brad Snow Edley Finning, Enrique Garcia, John Garrison, 6 Years: Cody Brooks, Rasheda Combs, Tristan Gill, Iloany Gomez, Nichole Grove, 20 Years: Edward Garcia Jason Doane, Christian Gomez, Homer Imel, Benjamin Hasselbusch, Christian Hawkins, 21 Years: Sunil Bangari, Woodrow Jackson, Nathan Kuykendall, James Moore, Victor Kason Higgins, Matthew Inman, Johnny Jack- Mark Krause, Terry Parsons, Cheryl Pollo, Prosolow, Jason Selzler, Jared Vandal, Grover son, Kedrion Jones, Tyler Laper, Alan Law- Robert Triebsch Wise rence, John Livermore, Skyler Mack, Matthew 22 Years: Micheal Davis, Bridget Liden 7 Years: Chance Adair, Bryant Boatman, Marley, Benjamin Martinez, Devinaire Marti- 23 Years: Ronald Tapley nez, Scott Massey, Bryan Melgar, Joseph Mel- Travis Bost, Jerry Bruce, Rene Cantu, Richard 24 Years: William Carroll, Anthony Jernigan linger, Carnell Minnifield, Dylan Nesbit, Sara Carter, Matthew Crisswell, Ryan Gossens, Peak, Jose Piedra, Billy Pinkston, Alexander Michael Hayden, Miles Maher, Jerry Morris, 25 Years: Fernando Almanza Potts, Francisco Ramirez, Eugene Richards, Bryan Payne, Colin Pinson, Jeffery Robertson, 26 Years: Mark Green, Steven Morgan, Billy Richard Rockwell, Eduardo Sierra abarca, Corey Sepulvado, Cory Trowe, John Vance Morris Marcy Sloan, Edward Smith, Chance Taber, 8 Years: Jacob Bagby, Brent Killian, Jeremy 27 Years: Mike Broussard, Herbert Lamkin Madsen, Marc Massoglia, Brad Payne, Brad- Zach Thomson, Jesus Tovar, Tucker Trumbo, 28 Years: Silas Whitley Royce Turner, Mike Warwick, John Wise ley Seideman, Wesley Smith, Jeffery White 29 Years: George Kachmar 2 Years: Joel Armenta-Delgado, Trace Azure, 9 Years: Cassie Bicknell, David Brown, Tay- Bobby Baker, Jacob Baker, Timothy Befort, lor Carter, Evaristo Corona, Richard Grant, 30 Years: Sherri Leport Robert Boettcher, Tanner Bond, Michael Norman Jones, Daniel Paul, Gerard Sybert, 31 Years: James Crawford, Michael Howarth Burns, Michael Catterton, Jordan Chamber- Malcolm Young 34 Years: Billy Eddington, Paul Oppel lain, Linda Cisneros, Antonio Colunga, Talon 10 Years: Dustin Coester, Kyle Hittesdorf, 36 Years: Jim Herman Cook, Aaron Dean, William Deets, Aaron Anthony Jones, Vicki Langford, Joseph 37 Years: Steven Lowther Eriksen, Amanda Evers, Wyatt Frank, Kyle Naines, Mickel Reeves, Shelly Rustad, Dean 39 Years: Steven Lang Futrell, Jordan Garcia, James Harden, Jeremy Schexnayder, Jason Stout, Angela Sylvia, Horning, Laura Jagels, Katelyn Junyor, Gavin Kenneth Thomas, James Trammell, Cesar 42 Years: Thomas Beverly Laquet, Jason Meyer, Giles Olsen, Thomas Valentin, John Woods 45 Years: Jerry Brown Pellington, Jonathan Pierangeli, Davis Ro- 11 Years: Kenneth Cathell, Richard Chadwell, driguez, Zachary Rogers, Joseph Santucci, Skipper Hastings, Timothy Largent, Gerardo Anthony Joseph Bailey Walker Schrag, Marquis Sloan, Montel Stan- Martinez, Bernardino Osorio Vargas, Johnny ley, Dustin Tally, Abednego Trevino, Jason Rankin, John Rood, John Rowland, Cecil Trevino, Scott Wolff, Justin Wooten Will and Kristan Traylor Bailey welcomed 3 Years: Amy Andrews, Justin Cunningham, 12 Years: Tina Castro, Sean Corr, Gwen baby boy An- Brent Eggers, Capus Hendrix, Bobby Irvin, Foster, Robert Gable, John Glover, James thony Joseph to Michael Jackson, Thomas Kaczynski, William Maddux, Brett Norris, Judson Rogers, Eva the family on Lester, Albert Lierz, Curtis Marks, Angela Rokezewski, Lloyd Wilson Meales, Robert O'Neal, Kory Phillips, Victor February 21, Rainey, Brad Rampy, Antonio Reyes, Jeffery 13 Years: Sergio Arratia, Kelvin Banks, Mandi 2020. Anthony Sanchez, Joshua Theis, Dakota Vincent, Bob- Favalora, Paul Minnis, Danny Sims weighed 5 lbs., bie Wright 14 Years: Frederick Blondiau, Stephen Brath, 6.6 oz., and was 18.5 inches long. 4 Years: Maurice Acklin, John Bates, Myles Michael Colburn, Vincent Frazier, Marlin Gar- Black, Jesus Hernandez, Anwar Jenkins, cia, Michael Rogers, Joe Sandoval, Heather Will is the Chase Kinard, Joshua Knisley, Dorminick Sepulvado, Gary Westphal branch manager Lampkin, Cameron Leighton, Jeffery Leone, 15 Years: Patti Audet, Adelita Barajas, Tyler at the Supply Delmer Lydick, Jennifer Morgan, Howard No- Batley, Robert Boyd, Michael Galla, Kim Van Chain Services office in Joplin, Missouri.
The Dispatch • March 2020 • 7 The Dispatch goes digital Watco published its first newsletter on October easy access via phone or computer to the same 5, 2000, and in the 20 years since, it's undergone information and to enhance the timeliness and the many changes. From welcoming 14 new team amount of information. members in the first issue to celebrating the March What this means is that we still need you to 2020 anniversaries of 303 team members, growth continue sending us your stories, ideas and photos has been a part of the evolution of the newsletter. about the tremendous accomplishments of your Growth is what has led to the decision to take the team members and families. Using a digital ver- newsletter to a digital-only forum and discontinue sion, we will be able to share even more stories, mailing the printed version. so we really need assistance from the field. Our Logistics are what Watco specializes in, and team members might be humble, but we enjoy logistically, the most efficient and timely way to celebrating your successes. communicate with our team members is electroni- The newsletter will continue to be made avail- cally. Most team members communicate with a able through the Watco website, and your stories handy device called a cell phone that provides a will be shared on social media and on the Watco mountain of information at the request of the user. blog. The Communication team's goal is to provide See you online!
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All Aboard Foundation provides scholarship opportunities
The All Aboard Foundation is pleased to announce its Scholarship Applications are available at http://allaboardfoundation.com/schol- Program is now open for applications. The scholarship will be avail- arships/. Please submit your application to info@allaboardfoundation. able to dependents of Watco Companies com or mail it to: team members. The recipient must be in All Aboard Foundation good academic standing and plan to attend 315 West 3rd Street a post-secondary institution within one year Pittsburg, KS 66762 following high school graduation. Scholarships will be awarded in the Applications need to be submitted no amount of $500 each and will be issued in later than March 31, 2020. two $250 disbursements for the first two A committee will review all applications, semesters of college and will be credited to and the winner(s) will be notified and an- the recipients account at the financial aid nounced in the June issue of The Dispatch. office of the college of their choosing. The The All Aboard Foundation was es- number of scholarships awarded will be de- tablished to provide funding for a better termined by the number of applicants with quality of life in the communities in which a minimum of two awarded per year. Watco serves.