The June Dispatch 2023

Summer Spike Kickoff

Safety is the top priority at Watco, emphasized in a Watco Foundation Principle directing team members to safely improve every day. One way we highlight safety is through Summer Spike – a Memorial Day-through-Labor Day program to reduce the spike in safety incidents that tends to occur in the summer months. Our latest video serves to launch Summer Spike and underscores our commitment to safety.

Safety Anniversaries

Congratulations to the following locations who celebrated May Safety Anniversaries:

May 17 - Port of Amory (MS) - 1 year

May 21 - Cincinnati Marine Terminal (OH) - 9 years

May 22 - Pittsburg Transload Terminal (KS) - 6 years

May 26 - Louisville River Road Marine Terminal (KY) - 3 years

Safely Improve Every Day

Watco Makes Newsweek’s Global Top 100

Great news: Watco has landed #67 on Newsweek’s Top 100 List of Global Most Loved Workplaces ® In collaboration with the Best Practice Institute, Newsweek identified the companies around the globe where employee satisfaction and happiness ranked the highest. This is the second time Newsweek has honored Watco.

In October 2022, Watco was named to Newsweek’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces in America. Thank you, team members, for creating the culture we all enjoy. See the full Top 100 list here.

June 1-7 Focuses on Lifesaving

National CPR & AED awareness week in the United States is June 1-7. Training in how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or use an automated external defibrillator (AED) can be critical in helping someone survive cardiac arrest, heart attack, or near-drowning. Few people at Watco could be as aware of the importance of this training than Chuck Teeters. Not only does Teeters, manager of learning development, teach CPR-First Aid to Watco team members, but he’s also been on the receiving end of this lifesaving procedure.

Teeters is based at Watco’s Safe Performance Center (SPC) in Alabama. In April of 2017, while visiting a field location in North Dakota, Teeters had a heart attack. A former team member who had been a student in Teeters’ class at the SPC just two weeks prior recognized the emergency and made sure Teeters received the care he needed, saving his life. “You can imagine how thankful my family and I are that he took the CPR class,” Teeters said.

A Watco team member in Michigan can relate. Eric Kipp, chief mechanical officer for Watco’s Grand Elk Railroad (GDLK), experienced a heart attack in September 2022. Fortunately, Locomotive Mechanic Nick Burnham and Locomotive Supervisor Kevin Martin were not only nearby, but they were trained to help. Seven months earlier, both had been in a CPR-First Aid class for GDLK team members. Burnham and Martin were later presented with Citizens Valor Awards from the Grand Rapids Fire Department. Kipp reports that he is “back at work. I am doing well and taking things slow.”

Watco CPR-First Aid instructors are certified through the National Safety Council. Their certifications are good for two years.

Teeters says that in the last 12 months, 328 people at Watco have taken CPR-First Aid. In addition, all Watco terminals located on the water have a water rescue program that requires initial and refresher training. These marine locations also conduct annual man-overboard training drills.

Administrative Professionals Keep Watco Offices Running Smoothly

Behind every office is an administrative professional devoted to the numerous tasks that are required to keep operations running smoothly each day. Both Charlene Huskey and Sara Printy do just that and more at Watco.

Huskey works at Watco’s headquarters in Pittsburg, Kansas, while Printy serves the Overland Park office. Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer Rachael Peterson said: “Watco is made up of talented and humble team members, like Charlene and Sara. Both of them represent our team very well.”

Among her teammates, Huskey is considered to be the face of Watco. She’s the first to greet team members, customers, and other office visitors. Callers depend on her to answer questions or connect them to the appropriate team member.

Huskey takes an empathetic approach to customer service, unless she suspects a scam. Then, she’s the first to shut down the conversation to protect her fellow teammates.

“Charlene takes great pride in what she does,” said Vice President of Revenue Accounting Kris Hemby. “She makes her job look easy, but it’s not. She knows a little bit about everything.”

In Overland Park, Printy is known for bringing the team together for a good cause. Throughout the year, she organizes regular volunteer opportunities for the team. She also leads the annual gift drive during the holiday season benefiting kids in need.

Because Printy considers Watco her second family, she organizes team get-togethers throughout the year. Chili and dip days are popular, when team members bring in their best versions for all to enjoy.

And on a team member’s first day of work, Printy is the first to volunteer to show them around the office and answer any questions they may have.

Operations Accountant Gunnar Gronberg said:

“I can always count on Sara to take new team members under her wing. You can tell she wants them to be comfortable and happy from the very start.”

Pictured above: Charlene Huskey (left) and Sara Printy (right)

Lubbock & Western Railway Participates in Mock Disaster Training

Prepare for the unexpected.

It’s an approach the entire Watco team prioritizes as we strive to safely improve every day. And it’s one of the reasons why Watco organizes a variety of safety trainings throughout the year.

Recently, the Lubbock & Western Railway (LBWR) partnered with the local fire department to participate in a training, formally called the Plan Holder Initiated Unannounced Exercise, at the fire station. It’s the first time LBWR team members have traveled there for classroom learning and to participate in a live simulation of a railcar spill.

Exercises for this particular training are created each year by Environmental Director Jennifer Welch. On-site to facilitate the LBWR training was General Manager Ed Verlanic and Environmental Director Alison Suarato.

“This training provides an opportunity for team members to talk through a spill response in a controlled, low-stakes environment,” Suarato said. “Having the training at the fire station was invaluable, because team members got to meet and build relationships with firefighters.”

During the classroom component, the team reviewed the initial response plan in case of a real-time emergency. Afterward, members of the fire department demonstrated how they would respond to a chemical spill using a retired railcar at the station. The railcar is plumbed for water in order to carry out drills like this one.

From putting on hazmat suits and establishing hot, cold, and decontamination zones to finding the origin of the spill and securing the railcar, firefighters showed the LBWR team each step they take in an emergency-response situation.

Verlanic said: “It was a fantastic experience. Everybody walked away learning something from the exercise. Anytime we can partner with the fire department, we’ll do it.”

The LBWR has plans to return to the fire station next year for another exercise. In the meantime, the team has volunteered to improve the capabilities of the training railcar. Car mechanics plan to install holders for placards, which lists the commodity the railcar is carrying. They also plan to pipe the railcar for gas, in order to use it for a future gas leak drill.

Field Trip

Watco Greens Port recently hosted nearly 60 members of the American Railway Engineering & Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA). AREMA conducted its spring 2023 meeting in Houston, and Greens Port was selected as the local site visit. Watco Vice President Ernie Farrand showed the attendees the port’s rail, dock, and warehousing capabilities, and more.

“Ernie put on an absolute show. Everyone was amazed at Watco’s cross-functional capabilities and willingness to play a role in every part of the logistical dance,” said Director of Engineering Drew White. “It’s definitely a source of immense pride working for such a customer-focused and solutions-oriented company.”

Watco’s 2023 Scholarship Recipients

Each spring, Watco awards scholarships to high school seniors who are eligible dependents of Watco team members. This year’s recipients receive a $2,000 scholarship to attend a post-secondary institution within a year of graduating high school, with $1,000 being distributed each semester.

Join us in congratulating this year’s scholarship winners:

Angela Balderas

Angela is the daughter of Raul and Madelyn Orta. Raul is the terminal manager for Watco Texas Terminals. Angela was on the cross country and track and field teams in high school. She plans to pursue a degree in biological and physical sciences at the University of Houston.

Pamela Balderas

Pamela is the daughter of Raul and Madelyn Orta. Raul is the terminal manager for Watco Texas Terminals. Pamela was a student-athlete, on both the cross country and track and field teams. She plans to major in biomedical science at Texas A&M University in College Station.

Joan “Elizabeth” Bright

Elizabeth is the daughter of Dale and Julie Bright. Dale is a conductor/engineer at the Alabama Southern Railroad in Tuscaloosa. Elizabeth was a member of her high school’s choir, theater group, and color guard. This fall, she will begin her studies at the University of West Alabama in Livingston.

Julia Cain

Julia is the daughter of Tim and Melissa Cain. Tim is an operations coordinator and truck broker for MID-Ship Logistics in Moon Township, Pennsylvania. Julia was the captain of her high school’s dance team. She plans to attend Pennsylvania State University in University Park.

Ellie Carpenter

Ellie is the daughter of Jerime and Tara Carpenter. Tara is the director of revenue accounting in Pittsburg, Kansas. Ellie was a member of her high school’s dance team, student publications, and student council. She plans to study biology at Pittsburg State University.

Karson Chalupnik

Karson is the son of Scott and Reagan Chalupnik. Reagan is the creative director based out of Overland Park, Kansas. Karson is an Eagle Scout and was on the varsity golf team in high school. He plans to study construction management at Pittsburg State University.

Alex Coester

Alex is the son of Aaron and Melissa Coester. Aaron is a vice president of enterprise application support in Pittsburg, Kansas. In high school, Alex participated in student council and played football, basketball, and baseball. He plans to attend Butler County Community College in El Dorado, Kansas, this fall.

Landon Forbes

Landon is the daughter of P.J. and Stephanie Forbes. P.J. is the vice president of operations for Division 1. Landon played for her high school’s basketball team and made the honor roll all four years. She will continue with basketball at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas.

Naqualyn Grice

Naqualyn is the son of Nathan and Leshonda Grice. Nathan is the yardmaster of Freeport Industrial Rail in Texas. Naqualyn was named student of the month in high school and played football and basketball. He plans to study business management at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas.

Katlyn Habegger

Katlyn is the daughter of Richard and Tiffany Kelly. Richard is a quality assurance manager at the Ann Arbor Railroad in Toledo, Ohio. Katlyn represented her high school class as a member of the student council. She will attend the University of Toledo.

Spencer Jagels

Spencer is the son of Joshua and Laura Jagels. Laura is the assistant treasury accountant in Pittsburg, Kansas. Spencer played golf for his high school and was a two-time competitor in the statewide Scholars Bowl. He will attend Pittsburg State University starting this fall.

Savannah Kirkwood

Savannah is the daughter of Brian and Sandra Kirkwood. Sanda is a transportation coordinator in Duluth, Georgia. Savannah served as a student ambassador for her high school’s early college program. She plans on attending the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

Isaac Lewis

Isaac is the son of Matthew and Misti Lewis. Matthew is the director of people services in Twin Falls, Idaho. Isaac was an honor roll student throughout high school and played basketball. He will attend Pensacola Christian College in Florida.

Maya Miller

Maya is the daughter of Bryan and Joette Miller. Bryan is a conductor/engineer at the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad in Janesville. Maya was a member of her high school’s choir and played volleyball and basketball. She plans to study business economics at South Dakota State in Brookings.

Zoe Riggs

Zoe is the daughter of David and Johanna Riggs. David is a sales director based out of St. Louis, Missouri. Zoe runs a jewelry business, to raise money for mission trips. This fall, she plans to attend Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri.

AnnMarie Scallorn

AnnMarie is the daughter of Bryant and Mariann Scallorn. Bryant is the trainmaster at the Vicksburg Southern Railroad in Vicksburg, Mississippi. AnnMarie’s an avid volunteer, completing 152 hours of community service in four years. She will attend Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi.

Ashton Studer

Ashton is the son of Pete and Taryn Tietjen. Pete is a safety manager working remotely. In high school, Ashton lettered in basketball, football, and track and field. He plans to attend Ohio Dominican University in Columbus.

Before Summer Really Takes Off, Schedule Those Physicals

Summer can be busy for everybody, and that includes your doctor’s office. So now – before everyone’s calendars are full – is a good time to schedule an appointment for a physical exam.

If you have school-age kids in your home, the school might require an annual physical for all students or at least a sports physical for those involved on school athletic teams. Do you have a youngster headed to Scout camp? Or a dependent with a disability who receives public assistance? Any of these situations might require specific health forms that you might want to take to an appointment, so a medical professional can complete and sign it.

Don’t forget that if you, your spouse, or your child has Critical Illness coverage, that benefit includes an annual health screening. There is a $50 reimbursement for completing an annual physical. To file a claim, email benefits@watco.com for a copy of the claim form, or register at The Standard insurance company website. Go here to create an account or log in. Then get a copy of the Critical Illness Claims Form.

No matter who’s going for a checkup, it’s a perfect time to be sure everyone is up to date on immunizations. Examples of those who might want a vaccination are:

• A first-year college student

• Anyone planning to travel outside the country

• An adult who might need to catch up on a tetanus or polio booster, or who wants a shot to prevent shingles. (A good resource for adults is the Centers for Disease Control’s immunization assessment tool. With it, you can create a checklist of immunizations to consider.)

Birth Announcements

Ethan Barnett and Avory Adkins announce the birth of their son, Sawyer James Barnett , born on April 5, 2023. Sawyer weighed 4 pounds, 14 ounces, and was 17.75 inches long.

Ethan is a track laborer for the Kanawha River Railroad, working out of Nitro, West Virginia.

Aaron Davis and Destini Conley announce the birth of their daughter, Olivia Jade Davis, born on March 17, 2023. Olivia weighed 7 pounds, and was 20 inches long.

Aaron is a track laborer for the Kanawha River Railroad, working out of Nitro, West Virginia.

Olivia Jade Davis

Sawyer James Barnett

Birth Announcements

Keith and Hannah Donelow announce the birth of their daughter, Avery Grace Donelow, born on April 10, 2023. Avery weighed 8 pounds, and was 21.5 inches long.

Keith is a track laborer for the Kanawha River Railroad, working out of Nitro, West Virginia.

Chase and Bret Freeman announce the birth of their son, Tate Michael Freeman, born on April 9, 2023. Tate weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces, and was 22 inches long.

Bret is a revenue account specialist in the Pittsburg, Kansas, office.

Please share your birth announcements

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

Tate Michael Freeman

Avery Grace Donelow

Birth Announcements & Retirements

Ryan Leo and Alyssa Mata. announce the birth of their son, Noah Leo Mata, born April 19, 2023. Noah weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces, and was 19.5 inches long.

Noah is the grandson of Leovardo Mata, conductor/engineer at Freeport Industrial Rail in Freeport, Texas.

Longtime Conductor/Engineer Retires from the Eastern Idaho Railroad

Pictured L-R: Scott Presley, Terry Lee, and Garrett Bolyard

The Eastern Idaho Railroad (EIRR) recently hosted a barbecue to celebrate Terry Lee’s retirement. It’s there that General Manager Scott Presley and Vice President of Operations Garrett Bolyard presented Lee with a farewell gift, a commemorative rifle. He retired from the EIRR this spring after 26 years of service.

Noah Leo Mata

1 Year:

Team Member Anniversaries

Congratulations to the following team members celebrating June anniversaries:

David Acosta, Cory Agawa, Loren

Allen, Vaughn Appleman, Kaffrey

Bailey, Ernesto Barrantes, Christopher Beaty, John Bell, Chester Bethel, Jim Blackett, Tyler Breaux, Caleb Brown, Hayden Brown, Kyle Bryant, Luis Cabrera Arevalo, Byron Carey, John Cenkner, William Clark, Lena Clifford, Matthew

Cousino, Jerome Curtis, Ashton

Davis, David Dry, Robert

Edmondson, Joskie Frank, Jose

Garcia, Kyle Gauthier, Jyron Glenn, Nathan Hackey, Angus Haigh , Benjamin Hansen, Hendrick

Hayes, Lisa Holland, Lori Holmes, Mark Hope, April Hoskins, Bill

Hurst, Nathan Hurst, Eugene Jack, Craig Brian Jefferis , Jerry Jones, Johnathan Lacy, James Lambert, Bernard Latchley, Phillip Layton, Samantha Lloyd , Devon Lohrenz, Brandon Lowe, Tawedzerwa Machiva, Barbara Macken, Marcus Mask, Philip Mayes, Ernest Meisner, Antonio Mendes, Paul

Montange, Xavier Moore, Nichole Morcher, Kevin Mott, Bryan Munson, Noelene Lynette

Neville , Claudia Noriega, Michael Norton, Salisbury Ryan

Oman-, Trevon Parker, Michael

Patterson, Jesse Pettis, Cody

Pierson, Ben Potts, Micah Ramos, Dalton Roberts, Norma Rodriguez, Dylan Rosales, Rudy Sanchez,

Haleigh Savage, Andre Smith, JoAnn Smith, Gilbert Solano, Katelynn Stewart, Praveen Kumar Sudhakar , Garrett Swaboda, Cody Swearingen, Charles Toles, Ryan Tucker, John Veyna, Sarah Villa, Joshua Wainscott, Kenneth Weathers, Kaden Webster, Joseph Williams, Craig Windle , Kenneth Woods, Christopher Zamora

2 Years:

Alejandro Acuna, Jonathan Alexander, Joaquin Alvarez, Roger Ardon Varela, Patrick Becerra, Juan Beltran, Daniel Best, Dalton Bollinger, Bradford Boyce, Devon Bush, Kayden Camp, Jarvis Casey, James Chappell, Anthony Clark, Marcos Collazo, James Diehl, Shawn Dilldine, Jason Eliot, Wilmer Frederick, Kaila Frye, Victor Garcia, James Garrett, Chase Goleman, Thomas Gould, Marc Greger, Mark Harris, Dylan Heiselman, William Hill, Alisha Houser, Mark Huantes, Kenneth Jackson, Raul Jimenez, Anthony Lashua, Jett Loenneke, Jesenia Lopez, Matthew Luebeck, Cristian Luna, Russell Macias, Seth McBryde, Jay McGillivray, Jacob McGrath, Steven McLaughlin, Sean Mendez, Alec Mesa, Brandon Ofili, Audrey O’Toole, Danielle Potter, Juan Romo, Ralph Rosas, Raul Sanchez, Zachary Schendel, Jordan Seideman, Ajele Smith,

Chris Smith, Tena Smith, Timothy Smith Timothy, Michael Spearing, Justin Trullinger, Hunter Walker, Heather Weber, Jeremiah Whitt, Shawn Williams

3 Years: Pamela Barefield, Adam Christman, Oscar Cisneros Nunez, Marcus Cobb, George Diamantakos, Richard Hughes, Timothy Jones, John Korndorffer, Austin Kropp, Isaac Martinez, Joel Nunneley, Jisela Perez Castaneda, Phillip Pizzolato, Kyle Roy, James Sebroski, Kirk Sheltman, Saengphet Soulivong, Edward Wilson, Aaron Young

4 Years: Ruth Becker, Joshua Buee, Randall Campbell, Kyle Cleland, Adrian Cooks, Eugene Finkley, Courtenay Harry, Sam Kimotho, Donald Monroe, Brandi Orr, Donald Paulat, Lashunda Poole, Hagen Presley, Jesse Prine, Darren Scott, Harrison Short, Ailsa von Dobeneck, Amanda Widmer, Marcus Yates, Jennifer Zettler

5 Years: Clifford Birch, Gina Bradley, Robert Cooper, Joseph DaRonche, Joshua Dreese, Marquet Freeman, Saleh Mothana, Patrick Nemec, Caleb Schmidt, Riley Seger, Travis Sinn, Ivan Smith, Justin Vaclavik, David Weber

Team Member Anniversaries

6 Years: Michelle Bowling, Ryan Frazier, Ladarion Johnson, Rene Mendoza, Casey Miller, Jamie Owens, Amber Reeves, Peter Silva, Jerick Staker, James Trollope, Leon Williams Jr, Wayne Wiza

7 Years: Jacob Baker, Zachary Charston, Jaime Poncio, Gregg Robbins, Nicholas Sharp, Jordan Wagner

8 Years: Jay Benedict, Cameron Benson, William Butler, Brantley Chambliss, Arla Cress, John Jansen, Douglas Jones, Brent Powell, James Rehm, Olen Reid, Stacey Wilberding

9 Years:

Robert Ayers, Timothy Chew, David Eller, Jerod Gofourth, Cris Hatcher, Michael Hernandez, Michael Hovan, Alexis Jimenez, Michael Kot, Jonathan Lacy, Jason Longfellow, Brent Morrison, Breana Nalesnik, Javier Pertuz, Kathryn Price, Jose Rios, Jose Rodriguez, Joseph Rowan, Jason Wetta, Shari Wilson, Eric Wolfe

10 Years:

Cassidy Cromer, Philip Hennessee, Sergio Lara, Jenna Maiseroulle, Arturo Montemayor, Jeffrey Quigley, Jason Sigman, Paul Suarino

11 Years: Sean Benzmiller, Susan Buffington, Tara Carpenter, Jordan Cheatham, Sean Cox, James Degano, Stephen Garcia, Curtiss Hemby, Glen Jackson, Jeff Kelly, Audie Pankhurst, Justin Pankhurst, Steven Renn, Jose Rodriguez, Angela Schaefer, Amanda Shanholtzer, Duff Wagnon, Lloyd Young

12 Years: Brian Keithan, Nathan Kime, Kristi Nunnelley, Felicia Strickland, Johannes Yocum

13 Years:

David Bravo, Silvestre Garza, Russell King, Thomas Scheidemantel, Douglas Steed

14 Years: Sean Crowe, Brent Marsh

15 Years: Steven Bosse, James Hite, Matthew Troth

16 Years: Chris Morris, Michelle Shuttlesworth, Curtis Testerman, Leon Williams

17 Years: Randall Chaney, Phillip Forrest, Pete Tavernaro

18 Years: Frankie Carpino, Paul Christenson, David Gonzales, Nicolas Hanson, Jeremy Hollis, Leslie Kissel, Cameron Lundy, James Marr, Angelina Pridemore

19 Years: Nolan Darthard, Joey Meadows, Marco Mendoza, Billy Mott

20 Years: Donnie Creed, Mark Glover, Wade Lunt, James Waite

21 Years: Matthew Diestler, Carl Silcox, Mark St Aubin

23 Years: Barbara Crawford, Colin Schneider

25 Years: Christopher Jacobson, Jason Rossman

26 Years: Chad Wilson

27 Years: Jason Ford

30 Years: James McDaniel

31 Years: John Nippa

34 Years: Michael Pollard

35 Years: Janice Ferrin

36 Years: John Lopez