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A message from REMSA regarding COVID-19:
The safety and well-being of the REMSA staff and our members is of the upmost importance to our association, and we want to urge all REMSA members, staff, and their families to take the proper precautions necessary to maintain their health, safety and well-being during this uncertain and unprecedented time. Railroads continue to operate and are critical in transporting essential supplies throughout the country to those in need. Thank you to our railroad operators, the crews maintaining the rails, and all of our member company employees who are taking the measures they need to ensure the well-being of the country and world during this crisis.
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STB Nominees Confirmed, Buttigieg Named DOT Nominee
As (tonight's) government funding deadline nears, it remains to be seen whether a COVID stimulus deal will make it in to the $1.4 trillion spending bill to keep the government open. It's also possible that Congress extends government funding for 48 to 72 hours to finalize negotiations. Once that process is done, the 116th Congress will most likely adjourn before the swearing in of the 117th Congress takes place on January 3rd. STB Nominees Michelle Schultz and Robert Primus were confirmed on November 19thby a unanimous voice vote in the Senate. Their confirmation brings the STB to its full five members for the first time since Congress expanded the board from three in 2015. They're expected to be sworn in in early January. President-Elect Joe Biden has announced that he will name former South Bend, IN Mayor and 2020 Presidential Candidate Pete Buttigieg to be Department of Transportation Secretary, succeeding current Secretary Elaine Chao. Though the current Congress is nearing its end, a flurry of bills relating to the rail industry have been introduced in recent weeks. Rep. Seth Moulton (MA-6) has introduced the American High-Speed Rail Act, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (WI) introduced the Rail Shipper Fairness Act, and Sens. Deb Fischer (NE), Jon Tester (MT), Jerry Moran (KS), and Gary Peters (MI) introduced legislation to address blocked crossings.
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If you are interested in learning more about REMSA's government affairs efforts, please reach out to Cooper Ehrendreich at ehrendreich@remsa.org.
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 2020 Year End Letter From REMSA President
REMSA President Al Reynolds' 2020 year end letter to REMSA members reflecting on the accomplishments of our organization and our industry as well as looking forward to the year ahead can be viewed at our website. In addition to our focus of providing value to our members, REMSA is excited to announce changes in the upcoming year including a reorganization of our leadership structure. The full letter can be seen here.
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Renew Your REMSA Membership Today & Save 10%
Opt-in for the 2-year membership dues renewal and save 10% each year!
Membership Dues are normally $675 per calendar year. This offer saves $135 and your company dues will be valid through December 2022.
If you chose not to take advantage of this discount, no problem. Your company's member dues for 2021 will be automatically invoiced for one year only at the $675 price - a rate which REMSA has not increased since 1999.
Contact Madeleine Stern at stern@remsa.org with any questions or to take advantage of this offer. |
REMSA Webinar Series
REMSA's webinar series continued with our Safety Series Kickoff with Operation Lifesaver on December 8th, which can be found here if you missed it.
View past webinars with Stahl Recruiting here and our Government Affairs webinars here.
Is there a topic you would like covered in future webinars? Contact stern@remsa.org to share your ideas.
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REMSA Board Member of the Month
Allen Goff
Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Pandrol USA
What do you enjoy most about being on the REMSA Board?
I have truly enjoyed working with the Board Members and REMSA staff, the interaction of these individuals who are leaders within our industry has provided me with both a rewarding and educational experience. My term on the Board has also opened networking opportunities with key customers, suppliers and government representatives.
What has your experience on the REMSA Board taught you and what is your vision for the future of REMSA?
I feel REMSA is a great organization and plays a significant role in supporting and promoting the railroad industry. I have been on the board for six years and can definitely attest that REMSA has grown the services and benefits that it provides its members while increasing their voice in Washington, DC. REMSA is constantly evaluating ways to increase membership value and there is no doubt with current leadership that trend will continue to grow.
Do you participate in any committees as a REMSA Director?
Yes, during my six-year term, I was involved with the Scholarship, Exhibition, Long Range Planning and fortunate enough to be Chairman of the Government Affairs Committee.
How did you get started in the rail industry?
Actually, I began my professional career after college in the mining industry. After a few years, a close colleague of mine took a job with a railroad supplier and eventually persuaded me to come along. I started in the rail industry with a boots on the ground job working for an OEM selling and servicing maintenance of way equipment that provided me hands on experience in learning what railroading really entailed. This initial experience provided critical knowledge and sincere relationships that I continued to use extensively throughout my career.
What do you love most about your job/the rail industry?
I have been in the railroad industry for 35 years and fortunate enough to work for three major supply companies during that time span. I think the railroad is an extremely interesting industry and plays a vital role in moving our economy and country in a positive direction. I enjoy the day to day interaction with both customers and other suppliers. Even though we work in a large industry there is a tight knit group and I'm proud to be part of it.
What do you find yourself doing most in your downtime? Hobbies outside of work?
Right now, I don't have a lot of hobbies outside of work. However, I do enjoy playing golf and fishing while spending quality time with family and friends. My wife and I enjoy traveling and I'm sure those adventures will increase over the following years.
How do you define the "future" of rail? Where do you think the industry is headed?
Railroads have been around for a long time and are not going anywhere. I have witnessed lots of advancements in my 35 years and have no doubt there will be lots more going forward. I do feel the current Pandemic has created challenges, at least in the short term but confident the industry will adjust accordingly. For me, the railroad industry thrives on challenges and that is one of things that makes it so interesting. It's a remarkable industry filled with dedicated and hardworking individuals who take pride in what they do.
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Interested in being highlighted in the REMSA spotlight? Apply to become Member-of-Month.
Contact Madeleine Stern, Membership & Marketing Manager to apply today at: stern@remsa.org or (202) 715-2919.
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Save the Date: Railway Interchange 2021
REMSA is now taking booth reservations for Railway Interchange 2021 exhibit space.
Due to the current situation, REMSA will not be assigning exact floor space, but will be taking space reservation requests. More information on booth pricing, floor plans, Indiana Convention Center information, and much more will be available in the coming weeks.
Only REMSA member companies in good standing will have the opportunity to make space reservation requests during Round 1. Once a floor plan is finalized (complying with CDC and local guidelines at the time of the event*), those first round exhibitors will have the opportunity to select their exhibit space first.
Railway Interchange exhibitors receive a 10% discount to advertise on the REMSA website. Click here for more information.
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REMSA Grassroots Program: Bring a Member of Congress to Your Company
The 117th Congress will have more than 50 new members in the House of Representatives and 7 new Senators, making 2021 a terrific opportunity to host a REMSA grassroots event at your company.
REMSA has hosted nearly 50 grassroots events with member companies since the program was launched in 2015. Press releases detailing past events can be found here.
REMSA's Grassroots Program connects our association's membership with members of Congress to host tours and site visits of company facilities and ongoing projects. It's a terrific way to showcase the positive impact that your company has in the local community, while also building strong personal relationships with your elected representatives. We will also take the initiative to engage with local and regional media outlets to highlight your company and maximize the visibility of the great work that you are doing.
Are you interested in growing your network and highlighting your products and services to the rail industry?
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Industry News
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI),the national rail safety education nonprofit, has released digital versions of two new reports: a 2019 Annual Report and a Rail Safety Week 2020 Results Report. Every three hours a person or vehicle is hit by a train in the United States. OLI's mission is to empower the public to make safe choices when driving or walking near tracks and trains. (Press Release) The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced approximately $6.2 million to nine projects in seven states to support comprehensive planning efforts to improve access to public transportation. Funding is provided through FTA's Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning, which helps communities examine ways to improve economic development and multimodal connectivity, and encourages mixed-use development near transit stations. (RT&S) Rail Safety group Urges More Caution During Switching OperationsA cross-industry rail safety group is reminding rail workers to remain vigilant in light of three switching fatalities that occurred between August and November. The Switching Operations Fatality Analysis Working Group (SOFA) has published its most recent safety alert, which raises concerns about injuries to, and fatalities of, railroad workers that have occurred this year. (Progressive Railroading)
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a final rule that extends the amount of time freight-rail equipment can be left off-air, meaning parked with its air brake system depressurized, before requiring a new brake inspection. (Progressive Railroading)
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has amended its accident/incident reporting regulation to modify the way the agency calculates periodic adjustments to the reporting threshold and the way it communicates each calendar year's threshold to railroads. (Progressive Railroading)
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Member News
Nesco Holdings Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Custom Truck One Source (CTOS) for nearly $1.5 billion. Together the companies will provide specialty rental equipment for infrastructure markets, including critical rail. The combined company will operate on a national scale with over 1,800 employees, 46 locations and a rental fleet that will be nearly double in size with almost 9,000 units, CTOS officials said in a press release. (Progressive Railroading)
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) elected Jim Hanlon to its board to represent suppliers. Hanlon is the president of Herzog Technologies. "I expect that Jim's substantial background and experience with positive train control will provide important value to the association," ASLRRA President Chuck Baker said in a press release. (Progressive Railroading)
R.J. Corman Railroad Co. has officially acquired Owego and Harford Railway (OHRY), Lehigh Railway (LRWY), and Luzerne and Susquehanna Railway (LS) as well as short line transload service provider TranZ. An agreement was announced in August. R.J. Corman now operates 17 short lines in 11 states and has expanded its transloading services. (Railway Age)
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