The February Dispatch 2023

This photo of two Blue Ridge Southern Railroad locomotives pulling a train into Canton, North

Safety Anniversaries

Congratulations to the following locations who celebrated January Safety Anniversaries:

January 1 – Bogalusa Bayou Railroad (LA) – 8 years

January 1 – Houston Liquids Terminal (TX) – 11 years

January 1 – USG Plaster City Switching (CA) – 4 years

January 2 – San Antonio Central Railroad (TX) – 11 years

January 9 – Wallula Switching (WA) – 2 years

January 16 – Dutchtown Southern Railroad (LA) – 2 years

January 22 – Nitro Transload Terminal (WV) – 3 years

January 23 – El Dorado Switching (AR) – 16 years

January 28 – Port of West Memphis (AR) – 2 years

January 29 – Omaha Transload Terminal (NE) – 5 years

January 30 – Tioga Rail Terminal (ND) – 3 years

What Makes Watco a Most Loved Workplace?

CEO Dan Smith shares his perspective

Tune in to Newsweek’s Facebook or LinkedIn page

February 7 I 11 a.m. CST

Revealing the Newest Winter FREEZE Winners

Congratulations to the first 10 winners of the Winter FREEZE (Following Rules Every Day Ensures Zero Errors) safety award! Watco is rewarding these team members with a $200 cash bonus for spotting a hazard, reporting a near-miss incident, or submitting a safety suggestion.

Name: Christopher Klevenberg

Location: Tioga Dedicated Terminal (ND)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: Klevenberg spoke up after noticing isolation valves were in the failed-open position on a crude rack.

Solution: The facility plans to flip the isolation valve’s actuators to fail-closed.

Name: Aaron Sessions

Location: Ferndale Dedicated Terminal (WA)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: Sessions found a cracked switch point while clearing snow.

Solution: His discovery prevented a potential derailment and customer delays. The switch was locked out and has since been repaired.

Name: Justin DeWitt

Location: Sauget Cahokia Marine Terminal (IL)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: DeWitt spoke up after he noticed ladder rungs for the platform on a blend stacker were too close together.

Solution: The ladder rungs were corrected and spaced 10 inches apart.

Name: Cesar Valentin

Location: Greens Port (TX)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: Valentin reported a stop sign at a rail grade crossing that was located past the railroad tracks.

Solution: The stop sign was moved to prevent drivers from stopping directly on the tracks.

Name: Jeffrey Hillabrand

Location: Omaha Repair and Maintenance Terminal (NE)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: While reviewing a work order, Hillabrand found that the commodity reported on the safety data sheet was inconsistent with the residual commodity found in the railcar.

Solution: The team met to discuss the importance of reviewing and confirming the residual commodity in the railcar matches the data sheet.

Name: Andy Bennett

Location: Wallula Switching (WA)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: Bennett noticed a two-by-four sticking out of a railcar door.

Solution: He removed the two-by-four and disposed of it.

Name: Thomas McCalpin

Location: Vicksburg Southern Railroad (MS)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: A work truck needed immediate repair after lug nuts were broken off on one side.

Solution: McCalpin and the repair team made the necessary repairs.

Name: Lavarius Williams

Location: Baton Rouge Southern Railroad (LA)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: Williams called the on-duty trainmaster after noticing a switch that was gapped.

Solution: The switch was repaired without incident.

Name: Jeffrey Brawley

Location: St. Charles Industrial Rail (LA)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: Brawley found a ladder in front of a railcar spot as well as a pipe wrench on the platform.

Solution: The equipment was removed and the team met to discuss safety measures.

Name: James Diehl and Theodore Nicholson

Location: Fox Valley & Lake Superior Rail System (WI)

Safety Suggestion/Near Miss: While operating a train, Diehl and Nicholson noticed a railcar fouling the main line.

Solution: They successfully stopped the train before making contact.

Keep the nominations coming. The safety team received 144 safety suggestions and near-miss incident notifications in the month of December. Don’t delay, Winter FREEZE runs through March 31, 2023.

How can I make it better? That’s the approach of Watco team member Cameron Ginther.

It’s a mindset that’s made him a valuable team member at Watco since joining part time while studying at Pittsburg State University in Kansas. He graduated in 2018 and became a full-time team member helping transload operations at Port of Amory in Mississippi and Tulsa Port of Catoosa in Oklahoma, before being named project manager.

Ginther’s positive influence and outside-thebox thinking has garnered attention from his teammates. And now he’s getting recognition from outside of Watco. Railway Age recently honored Ginther with the 2023 “Fast Trackers” 25 Under 40 award. This annual award is presented to individuals who positively impact the rail industry or workplace.

“Cameron sees a need and jumps in to help,” said Ginther’s supervisor, SVP of Operations Steve Coomes. “He’s not afraid to ask questions or to challenge the status quo of doing business.”

As a project manager for Watco Divisions I and II, Ginther serves as the point person for rail repairs

and construction efforts. After a fire destroyed a South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad (SKOL) bridge in 2020, Ginther spent 18 days at the work site to help with the rebuild. During this time he proved that no task was too small for him, like double-counting material to ensure enough supply.

Last year, he helped launch the SKOL’s $40 million improvement project, which is largely funded by a Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement grant. This project didn’t come without obstacles. Estimates on material costs and contractors collected before the SKOL received the grant became out-of-date due to rising costs in the marketplace. As a result, Ginther repeatedly collected new bids and locked in prices whenever possible.

Coomes said, “No problem is too complex for Cameron. He identified lead times on materials and found contractors when availability was limited. He’s done a phenomenal job ensuring we had the materials and people we needed to be successful while also ensuring taxpayer funds were used as efficiently as possible.”

Railway Age Honors Cameron Ginther

Conductor-Engineer Stands Out for Safety Suggestions

There’s one team member at Watco’s Wallula Switching in Washington who’s always coming up with safety suggestions: Conductor-Engineer Robert Murphy.

In fact, he’s known for coming up with at least one safety suggestion for each four-day rotation he works. One came to him by simply looking up.

“He looked up and noticed the gutter on the customer’s warehouse was overflowing with debris,” said Location Manager Travis Chamberlain. “His feedback has certainly helped strengthen our relationship with customers.”

In another instance, Murphy spoke up after he noticed truck drivers not stopping at the main railroad crossing near the customer’s entrance. After receiving Murphy’s feedback, the customer put in place a zero-tolerance policy for all drivers failing to stop.

Even on slow days, Murphy still finds a way to keep himself busy. He’s known for taking the site’s all-terrain vehicle out to find and pick up tripping hazards on the switching site.

Murphy’s work ethic is described by Chamberlain as: “No one has as much energy as he does. He works 12 hours straight and never complains, even if it’s minus 20 or 110 degrees outside.”

And just because he’s a steward of safety doesn’t mean he lacks a sense of humor. Prior to joining Watco in 2018, he worked as a security guard for one of the customers that Wallula Switching supports. He got to know the Watco team well and was even known for giving them mischief from time to time.

“Every time we would come into the customer facility, he told us we had to pay a toll - which was a bag of Reese’s Pieces,” Chamberlain recalls.

Watco Begins Operations at Great Plains

Watco kicked off its 40th year in business with some new business. On January 1, Watco assumed rail operations at Great Plains Industrial Park near Parsons, Kansas. Several Watco teams will collaborate with park management to grow traffic and bring new business into the 7,000-acre secure facility.

Watco earned the contract because of its existing relationships, a proven track record of safe, customer-focused service, and the full spectrum of transportation offerings. The park’s Class I rail service provider is Union Pacific (UP), which Watco works with across the country. In addition to the rail service it provides inside the park, Watco is providing additional expertise through its Terminal & Ports and Logistics services.

“UP and Great PIains wanted to partner with a growth player. We got several Watco teams involved to make a comprehensive bid,” said Logistics Commercial Sales Manager Michael Clinton. “They were interested in our capabilities to market their facility in all areas, give them real-time inventory control, and offer the same tools and service flexibility we offer all our customers.”

The new location doesn’t have any dedicated, full-time team members yet. When railcars need to be spotted or switched, conductors and engineers from the South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad’s nearby depots will perform those duties. It’s a similar situation for transloading, warehousing, and outdoor material storage. Pittsburg Transload Terminal team members will provide those services as needed. Logistics is the customers’ connection to the park. They’ll coordinate trucking and draying to and from other hubs, as well as seek new customers and market Great Plains’ capabilities.

“Everybody’s going to have a hand in it,” said Pittsburg Terminal Manager Chris Senecaut. “It’s a real opportunity for us to learn about each other and how to work together. Hopefully, it will help us grow Great Plains, and use what we learn to grow elsewhere, too.”

For now, Watco’s Logistics and Sales teams are the most active. They’re working with the park to attract new customers and spur development within the park by highlighting existing infrastructure and the added capabilities of our team. One recent incentive for potential customers is the creation of a foreign trade zone (FTZ). Thirty-eight of the facility’s warehouses received approval for the designation, allowing tenants to save on tariffs and taxes on international goods.

“We’re working alongside sales to find customers and market the park,” said Clinton. “The FTZ will be a big selling point. Other FTZs in the region are still facing congestion issues, so it’s likely we’ll get some referrals, too. We’re looking forward to seeing the work we’ve put in to start bringing in customers.”

The team’s efforts are already yielding dividends. There are commitments or conversations with customers to begin handling ammonia, lumber, solar panels, wind turbines, carbon dioxide, lithium batteries for electric vehicles, and more.

“We wanted a partner that could help us grow. We’re excited about partnering with Watco,” said Great Plains Director Brad Reams. “They’ll not only provide service to our customers within the park, but help us attract new ones and help manage their supply chains across the globe. If there’s an issue or challenge, they’ll find a way to make itwork for everyone.”

February Focus Keep Those Tickers Ticking

The heart. It’s about the size of two hands clasped together, and it can give Watco a run for its money when it comes to playing an essential role in transportation and logistics.

This vital organ pumps blood that transports oxygen, nutrients, antibodies, and waste to their proper destinations. And if there were ever a time to give it some extra attention, it’s now, during American Heart Month.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. The most common type of heart disease in the U.S. is coronary artery disease, which is often linked to cholesterol and plaque buildup that can lead to heart attacks.

Controllable Risk Factors

Some risk factors are inherited, but others can be controlled. Those, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, include high levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol in the blood, high blood pressure, excess sugar in the blood due to diabetes, obesity, and smoking.

Lifestyle Practices

The keys to good heart health won’t surprise you: physical activity and a healthy diet.

• Exercise. Experts at the Cleveland Clinic say regular exercise is the single most important key to heart health. Exercising at least 30 minutes a day can have a positive effect on weight, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure. Team members on Watco’s health plan can take advantage of fitness-related discounts provided through Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

• Follow a healthy diet . As with exercise, eating the right foods can help keep extra weight off, keep LDL cholesterol in check, and control blood sugar levels. It also can help manage blood pressure. (To help keep blood pressure in range, cut back or get rid of salt. Try salt substitutes and salt-free spice mixes like Dash™.) Mayo Clinic has some recommendations. And Watco team members have access to more than 200 dietitian-reviewed recipes and health videos through the company’s Team Member Assistance Program provider, New Directions Participants in Watco’s health plan can pair up with a certified health coach using My Health NovelSM offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield. To get started, log into My Health Toolkit® and complete a short assessment.

• Don’t smoke. Nicotine increases the chances of arterial plaque buildup, which narrows arteries and hardens artery walls, potentially bringing about higher blood pressure, an elevated heart rate, and even a blood clot. And according to Mayo Clinic, even some forms of smokeless tobacco can increase the heart rate and blood pressure, with long-term use increasing the risk of dying from heart disease or stroke. Besides containing nicotine, smokeless tobacco contains high sodium content and sometimes licorice, which has been linked to heart issues. For help quitting tobacco, visit Quit for Life or call (866) 784-8454.

Watco Accepting Dependent Scholarship Application Forms

Watco is pleased to announce its Scholarship Program is now open for applications. The scholarship will be available to dependents of Watco team members. An applicant must be in good academic standing and must plan to attend a post-secondary institution within one year following high school graduation.

Scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $2,000 each and will be issued in two $1,000 disbursements for the first two semesters of college. The funds will be credited to the recipients’ accounts at the financial aid office of the college of their choosing. The number of scholarships awarded will be determined by the number of applicants with a minimum of two awarded per year.

Scholarship applications are available here. Applications need to be submitted no later than March 31, 2023. Contact watcogives@watco.com with questions.

A committee will review all applications and the winners will be notified and announced in the June issue of The Dispatch.

Team Member Anniversaries

1 Year:

Stephanie Allen, Xavier Anderson, Joseph Berry, John Bradford, Travis Brautigam, Clifford Bray, Travis Brossette, Alexander Brown, Matthew Capo, Melissa Compston, Jared Cummings, Hunter Darling, Joe Estrada, James Etzel, Reece Farnham, Kirk Farnsworth, DreShawn Flott, Howard Franzen, Elida Garza, Daphne Geary, Elias Gonzalez, Joshua Hardin, Allyssa Hicks, Gavin Hidalgo, Tommy Horton, Jose Ibarra, Ellis Johnson, Kenneth Killingsworth, Robert

Loehlein, Mario Lopez, Jeff

Ludwig, Michael Maffry, Francisco Marroquin, Brandi

Martinez, Nathaniel Mathia, Shawn McClendon, Urana McGee, George McMichael, Dakota

Merritt, Jonathan Miller, William

Minnie, Monti Morris, Holten

Peters, Jimmie Pixler, Keandre

Randall, Gayle Reed, Cedric

Reliford, Ariyan Robinson, Jeffrey

Rodriguez, Leoncio Rodriguez, Justin Rutherford, Angelita

Salinas, Edwin Santos Lucero, Zach Schifferns, Starr Shanklin, Ryan Smith, Adam Thiessenhusen, Desmond Thomas, Richard

Vannaman, Marco Vazquez, William Wallace, Justin

Westbrook, Cassie Whitton, Kyle Wied, Joshua Witmer, Kamran Woods

2 Years:

Jessica Bailey, Richard Balsiger, Matthew Bergeland, Steven Bosse, Troy Briggs, Philip

Champagne, Zachary

Champagne, Albert Chapa, James Cullins, Victor Dickson, Fabian Garcia, Austin Grant, Blake Harvey, Joe Hinckley, Kerry Jackson, Jesse

Luna, Stephanie Miller, Mason Mollus, Juan Moreno, Zachary Morgan, Christopher Newton, Angel Salazar, Abagale Stroup, Nathan Trautman, Patrick Tygett, Kimberly Veyna, Shaylee Walsh, Bobbie Jo Weiser

3 Years:

Tristan Bellows, Donnie Castro, Dereck Clabough, Raymond Damian, Jesse Fitzgerald, Luke Gard, Edgar Gaytan, Jacob Goodrich, Cullen Hare, Michael Hoover, Darla Jones, Joseph Lollar, Austin Malone, Lee Martin, Matt Rengel, Pascual Robles, Carlos Rocha, Brooke Soukup, Karyn Lachay Thomas, Dylan Wiebe, Linda Willis, Joshua Wilson

4 Years:

Juan Bermudez, Brent Blaha, Nigel Budhan, Aaron Day, Robert DeBlanc, Dominic Diosdado, Samuel Garcia, Denisa Godfrey, Aaron Gossett, Alissa Hackel, James Haynes, Anthony Hoyte, Charles Jones, Maurice Joseph, Mayra Juarez, Anton Levdanskiy, Garry Major, Jose Maldonado, Jose Martinez, Andrew Mattair, Joshua Mitchell, Beau Mousty, Jose Penaloza, Stephen Ricks, Dillon Sauer, Derek Schuman, Colton Singleton, Robert Slayer, Bruce Tackett, David Terven, Jamarius Valentine, Brian Witzke, Robert Woods

5 Years: Shannon Colon, Audley Elder, Tyler Gilbert, Adam Gray, Brian Kelley, Peyton King, Alvin Magee, Nathanael Riddle, Jacob Roll, Jeremy Schwarzhuber, David

Torres, Mariano Uribe, Jennifer Vasquez, Stanley Whitaker, Douglas Williams

6 Years: David Blanchard, Timothy Broadway, Andrew Ermler, Curtis Holbrook, Reynaldo Lobo Guardado, John McAndrew, Gunnar Miesner, Rose Oljace, John Raccasi, Michael Samples, Brent Shields, Sean Strong, Jennifer Thayn, Brady Trappe, Teressa Villarreal, Joseph Wendt

7 Years: Christopher Bollin, Tyler Burke, Kevin Byrd, John Cuevas, Daniel Czar, Juan DeLaCerda, Jarmain Drake, Kevin Johnson, Daniel Lemon, Caroline Spurrier, John Weber, Christopher Wilson

8 Years: Derek Anderson, Bradley Bridges, Trevor Jones, Steven Kimball, Christopher Klevenberg, Shawn MacWilliams, Eliel Morales

9 Years: Patrick Flower, John Foster, Jesse Hatch, Chris King, Evan Klaevemann, Jeffrey Lien, Dee Mitchell, Cory Montoya, Odea Nowden, Zachary Overstreet, Tomas Sanchez

10 Years: Brent Aycock, Steven Coltrin, Steve Coomes, Seth Creason, Michael DeLaney, Jeremy Edwards, Travis Gathagan, Michael McMillan, Michael O’Connell, Derek Prestholt, Mike Shoemaker, Misael Vazquez, Melissa Winebrenner

Congratulations to the following team members celebrating February anniversaries:

Team Member Anniversaries

11 Years: Michael Brinkerhoff, Erin Flocchini, Martin Mandujano, Jacinto Mendez, Matthew Morrison, Sabrina Mounts, Stephanie Rich, Ysidoro Romero, April Rose, Chad Shaffer, Timothy Sharitt, Matt Spade, Jeffery Summers, Chris Wright

12 Years: Kevin Dean, Charley Dohle, Josh Gwillim, Scott Reeves, Michael Schaffer, Joshua Smiley, Joseph Smith, Danny Spangler, William Watts, Willis Whitaker

13 Years: Raul Pesina, Jose Reyes

14 Years: Veronica Banks, Lawrence Fix, Johnny Lima

15 Years: Michael Brown, Ben Coward, Brian Ezell, Ty Furgason, Leovardo Mata, David Riggs, Frederico Romero, Robert Smith

16 Years: Robert Balzer, Jeffery Denton, Albert Glenn, AJ Mee, Derek Nyman

17 Years: Michael Lewis, Daniel Reeves, Joseph Reid, John Scheehle

18 Years: Douglas Fleming, Matthew Hinojosa, Gregory Lovelace, Howard Verner

19 Years: George Villa

20 Years: Gary Goodwin, Nathan Grice

21 Years: Sara Hanson

22 Years: Serafin Contreras, Kevin Schoenhofer

23 Years: James Andrews, Steven Bringer, David Terry

24 Years: Thomas Shirey

26 Years: Robert Williams

27 Years: Troy Tracy

Birth Announcements

Lennon Louise Gould

Thomas and Ashlee Gould announce the birth of their daughter, Lennon Louise Gould, born on January 3, 2023. Lennon weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces, and was 22 inches long. She was welcomed home by her big sister, Hayden.

Thomas is a roadmaster for the Ithaca Central Railroad in Ithaca, New York.

To submit your new arrival send a photo and information to marketing@watco.com