The
Dispatch The newsletter for Watco
November 2023
Table of Contents Benefits Enrollment_________________________________________________________________________________3 New Simulators Arrive at the Safe Performance Center ______________________________________________ 4 One Million Reasons to Celebrate_____________________________________________________________________5 Watco Continues Sustainability Pursuits______________________________________________________________6 Building a Talent Pipeline with the Next Generation _________________________________________________7 Strengthening the Workplace_______________________________________________________________________ 8 Terminal Manager Credited for Helping Save Watco $2 Million________________________________________9 Railway Age Honors Carla Ewing ___________________________________________________________________ 10 Birth Announcements ______________________________________________________________________________ 11 Tales of Christmas Spirit_____________________________________________________________________________ 12 Cybersecurity Tips__________________________________________________________________________________ 12 Team Member Anniversaries_____________________________________________________________________ 13-14
Highlights
On the Cover
Giving Watco Gear for Christmas?
Order Your Gifts by December 1 | watcogear.com 2 The Dispatch | November 2023
A Blue Ridge Southern Railroad train crosses Scott Creek through falling leaves as it descends Balsam Mountain in North Carolina. Photographer – Jenny Wheat
Safety Anniversaries Congratulations to the following locations who celebrated October Safety Anniversaries:
October 1 – Arkansas Southern Railroad (AR, OK) – 18 years October 1 – Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Industrial Rail – 3 years October 1 – Prentiss, Alberta, Industrial Rail – 3 years October 1 – SW Brooklyn Dedicated Terminal (NY) – 5 years October 11 – Kanawha River Railroad (OH, WV) – 1 year October 12 – Tulsa Port of Catoosa Marine Terminal (OK) – 2 years October 13 – Yellowstone Valley Railroad (ND) – 11 years October 14 – Buffalo Transload Terminal (TBT) (NY) – 1 year October 22 – Wellington Transload Terminal (UT) – 10 years October 22 – New Martinsville Dedicated Terminal (WV) – 6 years October 24 – Grand Rivers Mechanical Shop (KY) – 6 years October 28 – Autauga Northern Railroad (AUT) – 3 years
It’s BENEFITS ENROLLMENT Time Open Enrollment Webinars 10 a.m. CST November 6, 9, 15, 17 3 p.m. CST November 2, 8, 14, 16 To register for a webinar, use the link emailed to your Watco or personal account from the Benefits team. Sign up for benefits by November 19. November 2023 | The Dispatch 3
New Simulators Arrive at the Safe Performance Center The Safe Performance Center (SPC) recently added six new FRA Type II locomotive simulators to its lab. These new training machines join two existing stationary simulators at the SPC and two portable versions that are regularly sent to Watco locations across the country for off-site training. Existing stationary simulators were retrofitted to match the same capabilities of the new machines. One noticeable upgrade are the new motion seats. According to Senior Manager of Rail Safety Training Lucas Conrad, this new feature makes the training even more real for students. “The motion seat helps immerse students into different scenarios,” Conrad said. “They learn the feeling of different train movements, whether it’s going around a curve, stopping on a descending grade, or something else.” All 10 simulators now offer a new training exercise on the Austin Western Railroad. Educational scenarios on parts of the Stillwater Central Railroad, Blue Ridge Southern Railroad, and CSX are also available on simulators. Student engineers attending training at the SPC can expect to spend up to 12 hours on a simulator. That’s an increase from previous years, which averaged 6-8 training hours per student. Student Engineer Logan O’Connell recently returned to the Fox Valley & Lake Superior Railway after finishing training at the SPC. He said: “My time in the simulation lab was valuable. The exercises prepared me to respond to real-world scenarios.” 4 The Dispatch | November 2023
One Million Reasons to Celebrate Reaching 1 million man hours injury-free and 40 years in business calls for a celebration! Watco recently hosted a barbecue and presented safety awards to team members and the company’s first-ever customer, Boise Cascade, now known as Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), in DeRidder, Louisiana. Executive Chairman Rick Webb spoke at the event, and co-founder Kaye Lynne Webb was in attendance. At the event, Rick Webb said: “You took a chance on us. We hadn’t ever even moved a railcar. But you (PCA) believed in us. Forty years later, we’ve both grown and changed. We’re still operating on that original agreement. That says a lot about both these companies.”
November 2023 | The Dispatch 5
Watco Continues Sustainability Pursuits Continuous improvement is in Watco’s DNA. So, it’s natural that we regularly evaluate our business practices to identify ways they can be made more sustainable. One outgrowth of this ongoing assessment is the recently published Watco sustainability report. The report summarizes the 2022 results of Watco’s efforts on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) topics. “Watco making a strong effort in this space is important,” said Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Laura McNichol. “I am thrilled that we put a framework around a sustainability program and the gains we can achieve as a result of this work. ” McNichol said she was particularly pleased about Watco’s first-ever greenhouse gas emissions inventory and the company’s improved score in an annual assessment used by many companies similar to Watco, the GRESB Infrastructure Asset Benchmark. Both achievements are highlighted in the new report. Now, with two sustainability reports completed, the Watco sustainability team continues to gather information and evaluate next steps. “That’s the exciting part of where we are now,” said Curtis Sloan, assistant vice president of policy & sustainability. “We have spent a lot of time learning and assessing. The next step will be taking what we have learned and working to drive further improvements. I think we have a sense of where we are now and are talking about ideas of what might be possible.”
6 The Dispatch | November 2023
Building a Talent Pipeline with the Next Generation We’ve been busy spreading the word about Watco! So far this fall, team members participated in 10 career fairs with plans to attend more. Our recruiting team has embraced the opportunity to connect with students across grade levels from middle school to college, faculty members, and even alums. For the recruiting pros, it’s all about building connections. They do this to build both brand awareness and a pipeline of talent. At these career fairs, recruiters share the many opportunities that Watco has to offer, from full-time careers in trades and support services to internships. The marketing team recently launched an internship landing page on our website to give a glimpse of what types of internships we offer and how to get in contact with our recruiters. “One of our founding principles is that we value our people. We want to bring in good people that match Watco’s values. Career fairs give us that opportunity to build a pipeline of talent and find team members that match our culture,” said Phil Huttmann, director of talent acquisition.
November 2023 | The Dispatch 7
Strengthening the Workplace In the last few weeks at Watco, managers in all areas of the company put emphasis on strengthening the workplace. Watco leaders had finished analyzing results from the Best Practice Institute’s Most Loved Workplace® survey completed by team members last spring. “It’s very important to us to understand and address team member feedback,” said Rachael Peterson, executive vice president and chief people officer. She said that as they shared results with other leaders across Watco and asked them to start taking action, “We wanted to strike a balance between busy team members carrying out day-to-day responsibilities and still taking time to dig into the surveys.” In late September, Peterson sent leaders across Watco the survey results pertaining to their areas of responsibility. The reports, organized by state, feature team member ratings and remarks. “We’re maintaining team members’ anonymity,” she said, “and yet are able to identify some challenges that we might have at some locations.” In October, leaders reviewed findings and set goals to address opportunities for improvement. “We want to make Watco an even better place,” Peterson said. 8 The Dispatch | November 2023
Terminal Manager Credited for Helping Save Watco $2 Million From left to right: Assistant Terminal Manager Shawn Delaney, Supervisor Jeff Mitchell, Terminal Manager Rusty Smith, Supervisor Rodney Hamilton, and Customer Service Representative Amanda Evers When plans to build a warehouse became too expensive in Cincinnati, Ohio, Terminal Manager Rusty Smith looked to his connections to find another cost-effective solution. His efforts paid off. This year, Watco purchased property located near the Cincinnati Marine Terminal that offers four warehouses, a mechanical terminal, and nine acres of outdoor storage space. This acquisition saves Watco $2 million, compared to the projected cost of building a new facility. This new acquisition brings another bonus to Watco: New customers. One customer was brought to Watco as a result of the sale. And since Watco began operations, the location’s secured two additional customers. Like any success story, there were many others that contributed to make this deal happen, including members of Watco’s accounting, finance, project management, operations, and commercial sales teams. November 2023 | The Dispatch 9
Railway Age Honors Carla Ewing Watco’s Carla Ewing, senior vice president of Service Assurance, has been selected for this year’s Women in Rail awards. The awards were announced last month by trade publication Railway Age. Ewing is one of 23 being honored based on leadership, vision, innovation, and accomplishments. “I’m grateful for the nomination,” Ewing said. She continued: “I couldn’t have gotten here without all the people within Watco that have helped me grow through the years. It sounds corny, but it’s the truth. I appreciate all the departments that I support and how they teach me every day.” Carla’s supervisor is Nick Coomes, who called Ewing “a supreme relationship-builder” who “excels in isolating and solving issues.” He cited her knowledge of operations and the corporate support functions as helping “everyone understand one another’s situation or issues and then
“I couldn’t have gotten here without all the people within Watco that have helped me grow through the years. It sounds corny, but it’s the truth. I appreciate all the departments that I support and how they teach me every day.”
10 The Dispatch | November 2023
bridge the gaps so all can function more cohesively.” The judges of this year’s field of entries were Barbara Wilson, a 30-year veteran of the rail industry and former executive at railroad holding company Gulf & Atlantic Railways (formerly RailUSA), and KellyAnne Gallagher, chief executive officer of the Commuter Rail Coalition. They reviewed Ewing’s achievements, including her posts on the boards of directors for RailPulse and Women Helping Women, an organization that provides funding for women in the southeast Kansas area who are suffering or are in financial crisis. In addition, Ewing was a keynote speaker at the June 2023 Association of American Railroads Damage Prevention and Freight Claim Conference. Laura McNichol, SVP and chief sustainability officer, was a 2021 Women in Rail honoree.
Birth Announcements Adriana Lennox Kot Michael and Laura Kot announce the birth of their daughter, Adriana Lennox Kot, born on September 24, 2023. Adriana weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces, and was 19 1/2 inches long. Michael works as an account manager for MID-Ship Logistics in Port Washington, New York.
Maddox Kai Mohammed Sergio and Amber Mohammed announce the birth of their son, Maddox Kai Mohammed, born on October 19, 2023. Maddox weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces, and was 20 1/2 inches long. Sergio is the NGL lead operator at the Tioga Dedicated Terminal in North Dakota.
Murphy Opal Sellars Dustin and Mary Sellars announce the birth of their daughter, Murphy Opal Sellars, born on October 1, 2023. Murphy weighed 8 pounds, 10 ounces, and was 19 inches long. Dustin is a conductor for the Blue Ridge Southern Railroad in Canton, North Carolina.
November 2023 | The Dispatch 11
Wanted:
Tales of Christmas Spirit Are you and your teammates giving back this holiday season? If so, let us know! Share photos and a brief description to marketing@watco.com.
Cybersecurity Tips Think Before You Click on email links or attachments Suspect phishing? emailthreats@watco.com (620) 308-5777
12 The Dispatch | November 2023
Team Member Anniversaries Congratulations to the following team members celebrating November anniversaries: 1 Year:
Daniel Alioto, Lionel Batiste, Sanel Beckovic, Justin Benande, Rudolph Bone, Tucker Broussard, Blake Burgess, Allen Carpenter, James Clevenstine, Austin Cope, Tyler Davis, Nicholas DelSignore, Reginald Dickens, Zane Ellis, Garrett Ferree, Hunter Garza, Jason Gaskin, Robert Goudeau, Brett Hargis, Ryden Hastie, Joe Herbert, Evan Hill, Jason Hudson, Katherine Humbird, Ryan Husted, Nicole James, KaDarious Johnson, Timothy Johnson, Demetrious Jones, Kirstin Kirsch, Bernell Leblanc, Jason Martinez, Michael Meerdink, Deandre Minniefield, Kayla Morgan, Benjamin Reams, Noah Reeves, Roland Robinson, Robert Rodrigo, Darius Rosario, Perla Savage, Charles Scheriger, Christopher Scott, Jacob Scullin, Todd Sears, Alexander Staheli, Jacob Stark, Pakira Tata, Noah Trosclair, Jordan Van Ark, Jonathan Van Maanen, Wryan Washington, Garrett Wouldridge
2 Years:
Ervin Adams, Ansil Antoine, Beatriz Baranano, John Barker, Justin Boatright, Marquetta Cebulski, John Clements, Enrique Cortes, Michael Deegan, Holly Donathan, Zachary Ergle, Jason Fisher, Elizabeth Garcia-Mejia, Andrea Graham, Jordan Green, Roberto Guajardo, Luis Gutierrez Mejias, Devon Gutowski, Jordan Herbst, Terry Hipp, Colton Hoggle, Joseph Hubbard, Michael Hull, Graham Job, Gary Johnson, Harley Kay, Jason King, Seth Kirsch, Alex Kluck, Daniel LaFlam, Craig Lee, Joshua Medina, Bryan Mueller, Diana Nguyen, Noah Obley,
Benjamin Parsons, James Powell, Toby Price, Kourtney Roberson, Aleksandar Stevanovic, Julien Stower, Tyler Strange, Mark Tarin, Azavier Vara, Jaime Vasquez, Heriberto Villalva, Christopher Washington, Michael Yocum
5 Years:
3 Years:
6 Years:
Stephen Barclay, David Barlow, Mason Binkley, Lisa Bonner, Michael Booth, Burton Bullock, Alston Combs, Reginald Daniels, Wyatt Fisher, Nahum Garcia, Michael Garza, Sarai Garza, Nancy Gee, Nova Graves, Justin Haskins, Thomas Hinton, Sandy Keosy-Symoungphone, Dane Kruger, Michael Longoria, Rutilio Mejia, Christopher Miller, Alan Riddle, Xavier Salazar, Aaron Sessions, Sewdharry Sookraj, Daniel Truong, Paul Voss, Christopher Wiles
4 Years:
Lisa Adkins, Stephen Anderson, Scott Behn, Jeffrey Biskup, Stephanie Bunger, Graham Burgemeister, Reagan Chalupnik, Victor Cisneros, Rodney Corn, Lucas Culbertson, Felix Delgadillo, John Ellenburg, Anthony Endean, Hector Franco, Jason Fraser, Jason Gray, Raphael Griffin, Joseph Helire, Christopher Hunter, Henry Legg, Marlon Maldonado, Carolyne Manuel, James McKay, Patrick Mondy, Robert Morrison, Nyree Outley, Devon Rodrigue, Shawn Schaefferkoetter, Robert Stanley, Christina Utphall
Daniel Amejorado, Drew Burns, Anthony Cooper, Jordan Davis, Mason Hoven, Dorian McGowen, Thomas Napoli, Zachary Orr, Benjamin Pike, Dylan Romanowski, Joshua Spude
Gerod Allen, Thomas Coward, Norman Fair, Christopher Faust, Drew Fitzwater, David George, Efrain Gonzalez, Anita Grimes, Christie Harvey, Jonathon LeBleu, Michael Lenhart, Lacie Moore, Kenneth Peters, Andres Rivera, Lanny Ross, Chad Simpkins, Charles Sizer, Jemma Turner, Robert White, Willie White, Sam Yim
7 Years:
Donald Frazier, Guy Heffington, Tonya Holmes, Robert Jansson, James King, Bryan Leonard, Richard Thomas
8 Years:
Shalae Bastian, Kristy Burlinson, Fabiola Cervantes, Corey Davis, Renita Edwards, Travis Freeman, Billy Hams, Daniel Mavers, Andy Nielsen, Zachary White
9 Years:
Andrew Beard, David Boissenin, Brad Bourbina, Nicholas Bowers, William Burns, Brian Butler, Daniel Duron, Ryan Fayet, Marcus Graham, Geraldine Mansch, Marty McClendon, James Miller, Anthony Oliva, John Patton, Brady Sansom, Jeremy Spates, Cameron Swaine November 2023 | The Dispatch 13
Team Member Anniversaries 10 Years:
Jayson Banks, James DeGraaf, Brian Freeman, Nick Golian, Terry Gooch, Robert Hiller, Justin Mead
11 Years:
15 Years:
Derek Brau, Andrea Harville, Joseph Magruder, Jeffrey Pierce
16 Years:
Charles Chipman, Shawn Coates, Philip Roberts, David Rotz
26 Years:
Lloyd Huston
27 Years:
Paul Loper
Matthew Adams, Amanda 29 Years: Bradbury, Dennis Burt, Timothy Julie Sanchez Humphrey, Aaron Jensen, 17 Years: Brian McDermott, Cody Tracy, Michael Trull Joshua Jewell, Gerald Lewis, Ron Spencer 30 Years: Terry Showalter 12 Years: Gregory Bartholomew, Everts Batista, James Chinowith, Anthony Coziar, Erik DeHoyos, Marcus Diaz, Justin Gaulrapp, Robert Hill, Lester LaCaze, Hilda Morin, Zachary Parker, Eric Turner, Brooke VanBecelaere, Gregory Wooldridge
13 Years:
Alan Cheek, Karzaer Jackson, Timothy Lewis, Michele Spielman, Kevin St Aubin
14 Years:
Chad Davis, Kevin Hampton, Brian Kemp, Jacob Link
14 The Dispatch | November 2023
18 Years:
Dale Bright, John Dozier, Robert Godfrey, Charles McCall, Leon Norrgard
32 Years:
19 Years:
Charlie Estes, Bruce Ferrebee
Rick Baden, Joshua Braden, Zachary Henwood, Scott Holmes, Michael Marino
20 Years:
Eric Slimp
24 Years:
Steven Ayala, Cyril Bangari, Jesus Cepeda, Steven Russelburg, Kelley Scarrow
James Belsha
35 Years:
36 Years:
Mary Mauch
38 Years:
David Bidleman
40 Years:
Charles Faraone
