NRC Chairman’s Column –– NRC Contractors and Suppliers Are Busy . . . and Doing Great Work

Joe Daloisio Chairman, National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC)

Courtesy of NRC

FROM THE JULY 2024 ISSUE OF RT&S: Whoever originated that old adage – “If you want something done, ask a busy person” – must have been thinking about railroaders. Railway contractors and suppliers aren’t taking it easy this summer. Business is strong so that means we all are working hard to advance projects during warm weather and more daylight hours. 

Like our member companies, the NRC staff and Board have been hard at work too. Their dedicated efforts will continue through the fall and into January when we host the 2025 Annual NRC Conference and NRC-REMSA Exhibition at the J.W. Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort from January 5 through 8. Look for registration information and details about the hotel block in early August. 

In the meantime, here’s a quick roundup of what we’ve recently accomplished together and what’s to come in the months ahead. 

Invest in Safety with the NRC Railroad Equipment Auction – Our 20^th Annual Railroad Equipment Auction generated $1.2 million in sales and more than $70,000 to fund new safety training resources for our members. Over the years these auctions have raised more than $1 million that the NRC has invested to help make our industry safer. That’s a tremendous milestone that reflects our commitment to work injury-free. 

Thank you to our sellers, buyers, sponsors, Blackmon Auctions for hosting and administering the auction, and especially to the members of our Auction Committee, who spent countless hours cataloging and coordinating the sale of equipment, parts, and tools.  

Make Our Voices Heard with Elected Officials – NRC members were proud to join with more than 300 railroad industry professionals to advocate for the industry with Members of Congress and their staff members as part of Railroad Day on Capitol Hill on May 8. Participants visited 270 congressional offices to share freight rail priorities and to explain how freight rail is responsive, safe, and environmentally friendly. Again, this spring, the NRC held its own congressional fly-in for meetings with members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. 

But you don’t have to travel to Washington, D.C. to share your railroad story. The NRC will be holding a series of grassroots events this summer and fall at NRC member company facilities

and project sites. These events offer an invaluable way to give Members of Congress and staff members a first-hand look that the work supported and performed in their districts. Please contact Mike McGonagle, the NRC’s vice president of government affairs and operations, to find out more.  

Build a Strong Work force – Members of our recently formed Veterans Committee participated in a job fair in Fort Cavazos, Texas, in early June. They met with veterans looking for promising careers and pointed them toward NRC member companies looking for exceptional talent. It was a positive event that served as a springboard to more activities to integrate transitioning and post-military veterans into our industry.  

Apply for an NRC Scholarship – This is a no-brainer for employees of NRC member companies. If you are a student or a parent or grandparent of a college-age student, take advantage of this opportunity to win a scholarship to a college or trade school. We created a separate scholarship for trade school students last year to address the need for more skilled workers by our members and other rail-related businesses. Over the last 10 years, the NRC has awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships to deserving students. These scholarships make an enormous difference in paying for higher education. Find out all the details and how to apply on the NRC website. Don’t delay. We’ll be accepting applications through August 30. 

Spotlight Exceptional Performance – In August we will be opening up applications for a series of NRC Awards, including Safe Contractor of the Year, Field Employee of the Year, Large and Small Projects of the Year, Innovation, and Hall of Fame. This is a tremendous way to earn recognition for your company and members of your team. Again, check the website in August for all the details. 

I know you are busy but don’t be too busy to keep each other safe. 

“We aren’t just in this industry. We are this industry!” 

Joe