Description
This railroad transport and safety expert started his career as a Brakeman, Switchman, Conductor, and Certified Engineer with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (ATSF), and then onto Amtrak, he has both foundational knowledge of train operations, and executive experience.
Taking his knowledge of train operations, he successfully transitioned to senior management roles at Amtrak, including Road Foreman of Engines to Superintendent. Managing teams of over 300 train, yard and engine employees, 800 On-Board-Service employees, while also building strong relationships with federal and state agencies. He has a broad spectrum of knowledge and expertise on all facets of the industry.
He remains in constant communication with railroad industry employees, both union and management, for updates on new practices, and operating/safety rules.
Academic Background
Lean Six-Sigma/Business Acumen – Amtrak 2014-2020 Amtrak Business Management Training including:
- Safety and Security
- Critical Incident Command System
- Federal Railroad Safety Act
- Charging Officer Training
- Emergency Preparedness
- Sexual Harassment, and Diversity in the Workplace
- Freight and Passenger Railroad Operating Certification and Training
- Designated Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers (DSLE) Amtrak 2004
- Certified Engineer Instructor ATSF 1991
- Engineer Certification ATSF 1990
- Conductor ATSF 1981
- Brakeman/Switchman ATSF 1978
- Amtrak/Santa Fe 1978 – 2009 Completed required federal training and certifications for Conductor (1981), Engineer (1990), and Designated Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers (2004).
Training and Seminars
November 2021 – American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLLR) Annual Conference & Exhibition. Phoenix, Arizona
March 2023 – American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLLR) Annual Conference & Exhibition. New Orleans, Louisiana
May 4-5, 2023, How to Start, Build, and Run a Successful Expert Witness Practice, Clearwater Beach, FL
May 6-7, 2023, SEAK 30th Anniversary National Expert Witness Conference, Clearwater Beach, FL.
Professional Experience
RTI Group, LLC, Stevensville, MD 2023 to present, Railroad Expert Witness
- Federal Rules Compliance and Certification
- Safety Management
- Accident/Incident Investigations
Railroad Consulting, LLC, Redlands, CA July 2020 to Present, Railroad Consultant and contracting agent for passenger and freight projects to include:
- Transportation Certification Services (TCS) – Contractor
- August 2021 _ Canon City, CO _ Royal Gorge Route Railroad – Conductor Training
- December 2021 _ Toronto, ON Canada _ GO Transit RR – Temporary Management due to Covid Manpower Shortages
- January 2022 _ McDonough, GA _ Norfolk Southern RR – Conductor Training
- March – August _ Union Pacific RR – Conductor Training
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
- Portland, Oregon
- Pocatello, Idaho
Railroad Expert Witness
Currently retained on several cases that are under attorney client privilege.
- Personal Injury to employees
- Personal Injury to passengers
- American Disabilities Act Complaints
- Highway Crossing at Grade Fatalities
- Pedestrian Fatalities
Superintendent-Director On-Board Services – Amtrak, Los Angeles July 2018 – July 2020
Managed over 580 employees for Onboard Services for Amtrak Long Distance and State Supported services:
- Increased Electronic Customer Service Index (eCSI) scores, reduced Operating Budget by eliminating overtime through oversight and scheduling, and reduced FRA Reportable Incidents by 27% by continuing with face-to-face interaction between employees and management.
Assistant Superintendent / Road-Yard Operations – Amtrak, Los Angeles July 2009 – July 2018
Managed Road and Yard operations for Long-Distance and State Supported services out of Los Angeles.
- Worked with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Close-Call-Reporting (C3RS) for post rule violation self-reporting and root cause analysis reducing major rule violations by 22%.
- Completed derailment investigations with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Amtrak and Metrolink Derailments.
- Completed depositions for Amtrak and Metrolink for impending legal proceedings concerning derailments, grade crossing incidents, and trespasser strikes.
Assistant General Manager – Connex Railroad, Los Angeles September 2004 – July 2009 Worked with the Southern California Region Rail Association by managing day to day operations of Metrolink Commuter Service.
- Developed Certified Engineer Training Program.
- Completed Accident, Derailment, and Fatality Investigations.
- Other positions held included System General Road Foreman of Engines Transportation Manager, Rules I
Instructor, and Locomotive Engineer.
Engineer – Rules Instructor – Training Coordinator – Amtrak, Los Angeles October 1992 – 2004
- Engineer -Passenger/Long Distance/State Supported and Commuter Trains
- Operating Rules Instructor
- On-the-Job Training Coordinator for New-Hire Engineers
Engineer, Conductor, Brakeman – Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, Los Angeles April 1978 – October 1992
- Freight Service – Urban, Desert, and Mountain Grade Territories
- Passenger Service – Long Distance and State Supported / Amtrak
- Switching – Local, Road Switcher, and Yard