Watco’s Past Shapes the Future

A lot has changed in 40 years, but Watco’s culture remains the same.

Founder Dick Webb established the company’s core values at Watco’s first switching location in DeRidder, Louisiana.

“The foundation principles weren’t documented,” SVP of Operations Keith LaCaze said. “But the Webb family taught us to value the customer, value each other, and safely improve every day. They ingrained it in us. They believed if we achieved that, then Watco would be successful. And he wasn’t wrong.”

LaCaze joined the Watco team in 1985. At the time, he was a recent high school graduate in need of a summer job. His dad worked for Watco’s first-ever customer, Boise Cascade. He helped arrange a time for his son to meet Dick Webb.

LaCaze said, “It was my first job interview. I didn’t know how it worked. I asked him for a job, and Dick immediately said ‘no.’ And then he quickly followed up with, ‘I’m just messing with you.’ I got the job. And that summer job turned into the rest of my life.”

He started as a railcar custodian. From there, LaCaze moved up the ranks to work as a switch operator, night shift foreman, location manager, and regional supervisor, among other roles. LaCaze said: “I grew up with a growing company. But my goals have remained consistent - work hard and treat my teammates and customers the way I would want to be treated.”

LaCaze remembers Dick Webb working alongside the rest of the team, switching railcars and making repairs. He was known for conducting business on a Big Chief writing pad and pocket calculator.

In 1998, Rick Webb took the reins as CEO. He kept his dad’s vision for the company alive while also expanding and diversifying Watco’s services. Among his many achievements, Rick Webb is credited with establishing Watco operations in Australia, as well as adding ports, terminals, and logistics to Watco’s service mix.

The company has continued to evolve over the years, with Dan Smith now as CEO since 2018. Today, 4,855 team members work throughout North America and Australia. Our services span 45 short lines, 29 switching sites, 75 terminals and ports, 10 repair and maintenance terminals, and 27 logistics branches.

LaCaze said, “Dan shares many of the same principles that the Webbs had. That’s what I love about him. He’s leading us into a new era, but he still has that same ‘I got your back’ mentality.”