NRC Updates and Announcements | |
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NRC Appoints Anderson, Kohnert to Board of Directors
On May 3, the NRC announced the appointment of Chad Anderson and Gary Kohnert, two long time railway industry professionals to its Board of Directors. Chad Anderson is the senior vice president operations with Terris Rail Maintenance LLC, and Gary Kohnert is the director of North American sales with Loram Maintenance of Way. Both begin their service effective immediately. “The NRC is thrilled have Chad and Gary join our Board of Directors,” said NRC President Ashley Wieland.
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“They have been active in NRC activities and are well-acquainted with our association...It is important to have a diverse board that represents a broad cross-section of the railway construction and supply community,” notes NRC Chairman Steve Bolte, who serves as vice president of business development North America with Danella Companies. “Chad and Gary bring extensive industry experience to our board and will be invaluable contributors in our mission to make railway construction safer and stronger. The newly appointed board members will serve the remaining portion of three-year terms for two prior board members who resigned their positions. To view a complete list of the NRC board of directors, visit: https://www.nrcma.org/nrc-board-of-directors. | |
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WVCO Hosts Rep. Julia Letlow for Tour of Facility
On May 23, NRC and REMSA member company Willamette Valley Company hosted Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA), for a tour of its manufacturing facility in Pineville, Louisiana. Letlow was recently appointed to serve on the House Appropriations Committee, and holds seats on the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and on the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs.
Rep. Letlow and those participating on the tour talked about the current supply chain issues, the importance of the critical infrastructure designation during the COVID-19 pandemic to the company’s employees, and how the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) rollout will continue to play out. “The supply chain crisis is one of the top concerns we have in Congress,” Rep. Letlow said. “I appreciate the opportunity to meet with some of the employees at Willamette Valley’s Pineville location who are working to address this problem and keep critical goods flowing throughout our region.”
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Willamette Valley Company Vice President of Performance Products Rob Loomis led the employee meeting and tour with Rep. Letlow. “It was an honor hosting Representative Letlow and her staff at our facility today. Getting the opportunity to tour our facility, discuss the state of the rail and supply chain in Louisiana, and having our employees get the chance to interface with a Member of Congress was a terrific experience,” said Loomis.
The NRC is dedicated to serving the needs of NRC Members and the railroad contractor and supplier community. That includes making sure that our members have their voices heard on Capitol Hill. Members of Congress frequently mention in-person site visits as one of the most effective ways to convey the importance of the industry. If you would like to talk with NRC staff about organizing an event with your company or our grassroots program further, please email info@nrcma.org.
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NRC Members: Part 237 Bridge Worker Safety Training Updates for OJT NRC-M14
There is a technical update to the NRC training and information from Part 237 Bridge Worker Safety for the training in OJT NRC-M14. In order to be compliant the FRA has asked any NRC members using that training to amend or update their training. (Picture on right courtesy of aar.org)
Per the NRC Safety Committee's discussions with FRA staff, the FRA has agreed that if NRC members received the Technical Notice items (sent to all NRC members), and/or implemented the four following OJT Requirements from the 237 Bridge Safety Program to their organization's respective Roadway Worker Protection (FRA Part 214) the their Part 214 training programs would then be in compliance and sufficient:
- FRA 214.107: Working Over or Adjacent to Water
- FRA 214.103: Safe Climbing Techniques
- FRA 214.105: Fall Arrest Systems/Inspection, Fitting and Installation of Body Harness, and Storage
- FRA 214.105: Fall Arrest Systems/Selection
If you have any questions, please contact NRC staff at info@nrcma.org.
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NRC 2022 Education Grant: Deadline this Friday!
The NRC is now accepting applications for its Education Grant Program. Originally April 30, and in order to give each University thinking of applying the chance to do so, the deadline is Friday, June 3. The Program awards an education grant to a college, university or technical school within the United States with a railway construction, railway engineering or construction management program. This year the NRC will award one $15,000 grant to the top applicant. Applications will be judged by the NRC Education Committee. NRC Education grant funds are intended for targeted student educational and research purposes. Learn more about the program and download the application here.
The deadline for receiving completed applications is June 3, 2022, at 5 pm EDT. Applicants will be informed of their application status after Memorial Day. Grant application materials can be emailed to info@nrcma.org, sent via Adobe PDF, Dropbox or similar program.
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Renew Your NRC Membership or Join Today!
It's time to renew your company's NRC 2022 membership. NRC staff has emailed your organization's primary contact for with all corresponding information for your organization's renewal. If your organization was a member in 2021, and you would like to renew or have any questions about renewing or joining in please contact NRC staff at info@nrcma.org
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Industry News and Updates | |
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On May 26, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) announced it had approved a new capital investment plan. The plan includes over 500 unique capital projects to modernize, expand, and increase the reliability of the program. The FY23-27 plan from MBTA is driven by the desire to improve the reliability of the transit system and modernize existing assets to accommodate current or anticipated growth and to make targeted investments in the expansion of the transportation network to increase capacity or provide riders with more options across transit modes. For more information, please check the MBTA website.
On May 11, the Federal Transit Administration (FAA) announced the appointment of Veronica Vanterpool as Deputy Administrator; Vanterpool has served as Senior Advisor in the FTA Office since August 2021. In her role as Senior Advisor, Vanterpool coordinated and provided executive direction on the agency's work on climate change, equity, innovation, safety and workforce development, she additionally provided oversight and guidance for the development of FTA's first Strategic Plan published in more than 20 years. Prior to joining FTA, Vanterpool served as the first Chief Innovation Officer at Delaware Transit Corporation, assuming that position after 15 years of transportation leadership roles in the New York metro region.
On May 10, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced that its new General Manager and CEO will be Randy Clarke, the current president and CEP of Capital Metro (CapMetro) in Austin, TX. Clarke will begin effective June 30, when current WMATA General Manager and CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld retires. “I am honored to be selected as the next GM/CEO of Metro and want to thank the WMATA Board for their confidence in me to help lead this amazing organization through a critical time in its future,” said Clarke. “As a fellow transit customer, I will be focused on delivering the safe, reliable, and customer centric transit service that this region deserves. I look forward to meeting with staff, customers, stakeholders and community members to learn more about how we can collectively build a bright future together” continued Clarke.
On May 10, Amtrak announced it offering a new apprenticeship pilot program to help participants learn skills on the job and develop a professional career path. The program will be offered to a max of new hires and existing employees with diverse backgrounds. Students will begin in the classroom and move to hands-on work in a specific trade. "With a focus on safety and Amtrak values, the apprenticeship program offers an opportunity for employees to develop new skills and expand their career," said Amtrak Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Qiana Spain. After three years of training, students take a final exam and become full mechanics. This program creates a talent pipeline for existing and new employees and provides a career track for personal and professional advancement at Amtrak.
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The NRC is a trade association representing businesses from across the nation in the rail construction and maintenance field. NRC members range in size from small family businesses to the largest companies in the industry. NRC members perform work for transit, commuter, intercity passenger, industrial, and freight rail customers, with services including track construction and maintenance, grade crossings, signal and communications installation, bridge construction and repair, rail yard work, and many more. The NRC strives to put an emphasis on rail safety and quality while proudly serving the rail industry | | | | | |
