Eseohe J. Ikhureigbe is an emerging leader in the railway industry who currently works for Hatch on the Rail Systems Design team. 

In her five years working in the rail industry, Eseohe has gained a myriad of experience working on a variety of projects for Metrolinx, Canadian Pacific Railway and other firms. Eseohe has undertaken both technical and coordinating roles to ensure the successful completion of various projects. 

Eseohe began her railway journey at Metrolinx, as a contributing member of their railway corridor signals department. 

Eseohe managed such tasks as analysing and reporting on the GO Railway Corridor performance, supporting equipment integrity investigations, and coordinating maintenance activities of signal assets. She pioneered several in-house initiatives to enhance signal equipment audits and management.  

Since joining Hatch in 2017, Eseohe has excelled as a signals designer, producing designs for crossing infrastructure upgrades from relay-based systems to microprocessor systems. 

Her interest and engagement in crossing work has expanded her involvement to also include managing projects involving grade crossing safety, and performing on-site risk assessments at active crossings across Ontario. 

Eseohe’s involvement in CP’s Private Crossing Assessments project in 2017 led to her talk on Drone Technology and Railway Applications at the 2017 IRSE conference in Toronto, which highlighted the methods and benefits of drone technology for data collection, surveys, and inspections as it can apply to railway projects.

Eseohe holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Honors) from the University of Waterloo and is a member of the League of Railway Women. 

She has a passion for learning, creating, and sharing knowledge. Outside of work, she volunteers as a videographer for CTF Toronto. She enjoys making music, playing sports and a great adventure.

David Smith is Hatch’s Regional Director, Rail Systems for Heavy Rail.

An established leader in program management and the design of wayside signal and crossing warning systems, his railway career spans over three decades.

He has extensive experience in the North American rail and transit industry, including Canada’s major Class 1 railways.

Dave commenced his rail career in maintenance of way with Canadian National Railway and was later employed for 21 years with Canadian Pacific Railway before joining Hatch. 

Dave has extensive knowledge of railway operations and engineering. He maintains proficiency in most North American suppliers’ relay-based and vital/non-vital microprocessor-based product lines.

Dave’s comprehensive training and experience in project management, railway operations, S&C design, construction, and system implementation in operational environments, have resulted in his successful management of a multitude of complex, large-scale transit and railway projects across North America.

Dave is also an active participating member of AREMA Technical Committee 36 Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Warning Systems and Technical Committee 39 Positive Train Control.

Dave currently resides in Georgetown, Ontario with his wife and kids.

To break away from his hectic day job, Dave is an active contributor in the community by volunteering as a rep baseball coach for the past twelve years. Having coached tee ball, youth U7-U18 baseball and girls fastball teams. Currently coaching at the U22 Junior Men’s level for the Mississauga Twins and anxious to get through these challenging times and get back on the ball diamond.

Kari Gonzales is the VP Business Services and CFO at Transportation Technology Center, Inc (TTCI) in Pueblo, Colorado.

She has been a part of TTCI’s organization for nearly 18 years.

Kari started as an intern in 2000 and was hired full-time after completing her degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in December of 2002.

During her time as a research engineer, Kari contributed a set of work that resulted in authoring/co-Authoring of over 25 technical publications, including articles in Railway Age, Railway Track and Structures (RT&S), and the Journal of Wear.

In her current role, Kari is responsible for both the company-wide strategic planning and many of the business functions associated with the day-to-day operations for TTCI such as contracts, procurement, publications, proposals, acquisitions and joint ventures.