Historic opportunities in passenger and freight rail have the potential to make tremendous progress in the way we move goods and people across the country, but only if we recruit, educate, train, and retain the workers who will make it happen. The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA) has convened a National Industry Advisory Group to guide project implementation. The advisory group provides input and diverse perspectives from across the passenger and freight rail ecosystems and related industries.
The advisory group plays a central role in:
- Defining current and future workforce needs
- Identifying critical skill gaps and emerging occupations
- Informing the team about critical industry challenges
- Leveraging existing professional networks and organizational resources to promote project outcomes
National Advisory Group
Aaron Ratledge, Assistant Vice President of Safety Practices and Rules
BNSF Railway Co
Dan Culbertson, Sr. Director, Talent Acquisition & HR Tech
Union Pacific Railroad
Andrea Gansen, Vice President of Labor Relations
Amtrak
David Singer, Transportation Industry Analyst
Federal Railroad Administration
Jessie Samwel, Community Planner
Federal Railroad Administration
Tim Ryan, Executive Director
Railroad Cooperation and Education Trust (RAILCET)
Jeff Moller, AVP Transportation Systems & Practices
Association of American Railroads (AAR)
Shayne Gill, Program Director for Multimodal Transportation
American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
Mason Baxter, Executive Director
The Association for Innovative Passenger Rail Operations
Charles Hogue, Former National Legislative Director
Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees & Current AIPRO Trusted Advisor
Additional representatives to be determined from: HDR, Siemens, Stadler, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers – Rail Division