3 minute read
Honoring the Service of Our Veterans
At Watco, we’re proud to have more than 300 veterans representing all service branches on our team. In honor of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, we thank each of you for your service and dedication to our country. We’re also highlighting two veterans-turned-Watco team members, Steven Ayala and Roosevelt England.
A first-generation American, Steven Ayala joined the Army at 22 years old. From 1993 to 1996, he was stationed at forts Knox, Jackson, and Bragg (now Liberty), where he received training and ultimately became a heavy-wheel mechanic.
He returned home to Toledo, Ohio, in 1996, and joined the Army National Guard while also working full time for a railroad contractor. That’s when he began working on projects for the AA.
After missing an unexpected call one day from the AA superintendent, Ayala recalls thinking he must have made a mistake on a project. He said: “I thought he was calling because I did something wrong. I told my dad and he said, ‘you better call him back.’”
That’s what Ayala did, and it turned out to be a job offer with the AA. He accepted and started doing track maintenance for the short line. Over the years, he’s been promoted to track foreman and most recently, roadmaster. And in 2013, Watco acquired the short line.
“Like anywhere else, we’ve experienced ups and downs at the Ann Arbor,” said Ayala. “But the one thing that stands out for me is that everyone works together as a team. When we get in a crunch, everybody has their boots on the ground ready and willing to help with whatever is asked of them.”
During his six years of service, the Army took Roosevelt England across the world to Bosnia, where he fought as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division during the Kosovo War.
This experience was one he’ll never forget, when he regularly jumped from airplanes to enter hot zones under attack.
Immediately following his service, he joined the Army Reserve while also working full time as a civilian. His first experience working on a railroad was for a Class I. Then, in 2017, he came across an online job listing for a conductor/ engineer on the Louisiana Southern Railroad (LAS). He joined the team quickly after.
He said, “It was a good change for me. I found Watco and the LAS to be a very family-oriented team environment.”
He left the LAS in 2018, but didn’t stay away from Watco for long. He moved to be closer to his family in eastern Louisiana and later joined the VSOR as a conductor.
England said, “It’s good to be back home. And I’m enjoying my time on the Vicksburg Southern.”
