NRC Updates and Announcements | |
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NRC Chairman’s Column: Strong Committees Are an Indispensable Power Source for the NRC
Chairman Joe Daloisio’s column in the August issue of Progressive Railroading magazine pays tribute to our members who volunteer to lead and work on NRC committees.
“The NRC has a dozen committees working for the benefit of our member companies and our industry. They comprise some of the sharpest and most caring professionals in the railway industry. Because they already have big, full-time jobs, our member volunteers aren’t looking for a resume-booster. They come together to collaborate with other professionals with similar experience to make a difference in our industry,” remarks Joe in his column.
Learn about the ways these committees are positively impacting our industry and how to get involved. Read the entire column here: Rail Insider-NRC chairman's column: Strong committees are an indispensable power source for the NRC. Information For Rail Career Professionals From Progressive Railroading Magazine
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Register Now for 2025 NRC Conference: Kick off the year right on track at the railway construction's premier networking event. It is time to make your plans to attend the 46th Annual NRC Conference & NRC-REMSA Exhibition on January 5-8, 2024 in Marco Island, Florida at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort located at 400 S Collier Blvd, Marco Island, FL 34145. The annual NRC Conference features a unique program agenda with chief engineers from the major freight railroads and other key speakers covering up-to-date topics of importance to the rail industry, including capital spending plans, rail projects of national significance, and railroad construction safety.
Registration: Click here to register. Take advantage of your member discount. NRC members receive a significant registration rate discount. Were you an NRC member in previous years and are unsure of your current status, or are you currently not a member? Then please visit https://www.nrcma.org/join-nrc for more information. If you have any questions about registration or your membership status please contact Marian Barreto at mbarreto@nrcma.org or call 202-975-0365. A registration fee table and schedule is below:
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2025 NRC Conference Registration Fees | |
Lodging: The NRC will offer a discounted room-block rate at the J.W. Marriott Resort Marco Island Beach Resort in Marco Island, Florida. All rooms must be guaranteed with a non-refundable deposit for the first night’s room and tax. In order to reserve a hotel room, you must be registered for the NRC conference. Information on how to book your room in our room block will be sent to you in your registration confirmation e-mail. | |
2025 NRC-REMSA Exhibit Booth Fees | |
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Golf Tournament: The NRC's 2025 Golf Tournament will be held on Tuesday, January 7, with a shotgun start of 12 pm at the Marco Island Rookery & Hammock Bay courses. The courses are on site where the 2025 NRC Conference will be held. Due to course size constraints, capacity is limited so we encourage early registration. The tournament registration fee includes carts, green fees, lunch, refreshments, as well as driving range, and putting green access prior to the shotgun start. Rental clubs must be reserved prior to December 13, 2024. Golf options and pricing will be detailed when you register.
Trap Shooting Event: As an alternative to golf, consider registering for the NRC’s Trap Shooting Event. It will be held on from 1 to 3 pm on Tuesday, January 7, at Gulf Coast Clays. The registration fee includes round-trip bus transportation, water/snacks prior to departure, firearm rentals, ammo, safety protection (glasses and earplugs), bottled water, and a licensed professional at each stand. This event is open to all experience levels and will be fun for everyone. Please register prior to December 13, 2024. Trap Shooting options and pricing will be detailed when you register.
Sponsorship Opportunities: The NRC offers its members the opportunity to sponsor all or a portion of a specific conference function. General sponsorships also are available. Get positive exposure for your company with some of the planned marketing opportunities:
- Sponsor ribbon on conference badges
- Sponsor recognition on the NRC website in lead-up to the Conference
- Sponsor recognition in NRC Conference emails to attendees, and NRC monthly bulletin
- Signage with your company logo throughout the venue
- Recognition at the event
- Your company logo inside of the NRC Conference Program Guide.
Questions? Please contact Marian Barreto at mbarreto@nrcma.org or click here to visit our website.
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Scam Alert -We ask conference attendees to be vigilant of scams, including any solicitations via email that offer hotel deals or registration lists on behalf of the NRC. These groups are not affiliated with the NRC. Please check the NRC website or email NRC staff directly for the most up-to-date conference information. | |
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Deadline extended til September 6 - The 2024 NRC Scholarship Program is now Open. Submit your Application today!
It's time to apply for an NRC Scholarship. If you work for an NRC member company and are a student or a parent or grandparent of a college-age student, take advantage of this opportunity to win a scholarship. The NRC has awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships to deserving students. Don't delay, the application deadline has been extended til September 6.To find out all the details and how to apply visit our website here: Scholarship Program
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Interested in Engaging with Students and Stregthening Industry Presence at University Event?
Join Michigan Tech at annual Railroad Night event on Tuesday, September 10. Railroad Night brings together interested students, industry leaders, and faculty at Michigan Tech. With a relaxed dinner atmosphere conducive to conversation, students pursue internships and full-time positions with a host of industry representatives. If you are interested in participating at this event, please email Marian Barreto at mbarreto@nrcma.org.
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NRC Members: NRC 2024-2025 Membership Renewal Period Now Open!
Renew in time for NRC 2025 Conference Registration. Your dues invoice are posted to your organization’s primary account-holder's account. To view your organization’s invoice when it’s processed, please visit www.nrcma.org and login with your username and password. Once you are logged in, you will see the invoice in the ‘my invoices’ section. The invoice will present your organization with a few options on how to renew your NRC membership.
We greatly appreciate your NRC Membership, and look forward to having you all re-join this year! If you have any questions at all or would like any other additional information, please do not hesitate to reach out to Marian Barreto at mbarreto@nrcma.org.
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Omaha Track Hosts U.S. Representative Sam Graves for Facility Tour and Employee Meeting
NRC and REMSA member company Omaha Track hosted U.S. Representative Sam Graves for a tour of their Kansas City facility, where they discussed the company's services and economic impact. As Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, U.S. Representative Sam Graves plays a key role in overseeing transportation modes, including rail. Omaha Track, a leading supplier to Class 1 and short line railroads, has grown significantly since its founding in 1983 and now employs over 300 people across North America. The visit highlighted the importance of Omaha Track to both the local and national economy, with U.S. Representative Sam Graves expressing appreciation for the company's contributions.To read more about this facility tour, please click here.
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Transystems Completes Strategic Merger with Gannett Fleming
NRC member company TranSystems has completed a strategic merger with Gannett Fleming, creating a leading national provider of infrastructure consulting services with approximately $1.3 billion in revenue and over 5,000 employees. The combined company expands its geographic reach and enhances its expertise across transportation and infrastructure markets, including highways, bridges, mass transit, and airports. TranSystems' CEO, Tim Rock, has been appointed as President and COO with the retirement of Gannett Fleming’s CEO, Bob Scaer, who will join the Board of Directors. The merger aims to accelerate growth through cross-selling opportunities and strengthen the company’s ability to serve government and commercial clients across North America.To read more about this merger, please click here.
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Holland Introduces Chris Vazzana as New President
NRC member company Holland has announced Chris Vazzana as its new President, with current President Jordan Wolf set to retire in January 2025 after 20 years of service. Vazzana joins Holland directly from Parker Hannifin, where he was General Manager, Electronic Motion and Controls Division, a multi-million-dollar business with eight facilities in five countries and 800+ employees manufacturing electronics, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for industrial and mobile products.Holland expresses gratitude to Wolf for his leadership and dedication, which helped build a strong and reputable business. The company looks forward to future growth and continued success under Vazzana’s guidance. To read more about this press release, please click here.
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Delta Railroad Services Appoints Linda Laurello as New CEO
NRC member company Delta Railroad Services has appointed Linda Laurello as its new CEO, succeeding Larry Laurello, who served the company for over 40 years and will continue to support business development efforts. Linda brings over 20 years of experience with the company, having held various leadership roles, including COO and CFO. She has been recognized for her leadership and holds a Bachelor’s in Business Management and an MBA with a concentration in Finance. As CEO, Linda aims to drive innovation, expansion, and visibility while continuing the company's legacy of excellence in client services. To read more about this press release, please click here.
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Federal Transit Administration Publishes Final Rule to the Public Transportation Safety Certification Program
On August 14, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) published final updates to the Public Transportation Safety Certification Program (PTSCTP) regulation, focusing on refining communication processes, adding administrative requirements, and clarifying training for voluntary participants. The regulation enforces minimum training requirements for State Safety Oversight Agencies (SSOA) and personnel responsible for overseeing rail fixed guideway public transportation systems. Key updates include requiring SSOAs and rail transit agencies to establish a point of contact for communication with the FTA and provide semiannual reports, and defining a recertification element. To read more about the Public Transportation Safety Certification Program click here.
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Industry News and Updates | |
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Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) Awards $1.66B Contract for Honolulu Skyline Light-Rail Expansion
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) awarded a $1.66 billion contract to Tutor Perini Corp. for the design and construction of the third segment of Honolulu’s Skyline light-rail system. The segment is called the City Center Guideway and Stations and will include six rail stations and approximately three miles of elevated track. The construction is set to begin in the second half of 2025 and be completed by 2030, with design work starting soon after the contract is finalized in September. The project also anticipates receiving $250 million in federal funding under an amended grant agreement with the Federal Transit Administration.
BNSF Railway Co (BNSF) and Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) Have Reached Tentative Agreement with Unions
BNSF Railway and Norfolk Southern Railway have reached tentative five-year collective bargaining agreements with several unions, including the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers. These agreements, covering about 30% of Norfolk Southern's union workforce, include a 3.5% average annual wage increase, enhanced vacation, and improved health care benefits. The agreements provide employees with increased certainty and benefits before the next bargaining round opens.
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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 | | | | |
