NRC Chairman’s Column: We Do Our Best Work When We Listen

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

Courtesy of NRC

ATLANTA - From the November 2025 issue of Railway Track and Structures, Joe Daloisio writes the NRC Chairman's Column.

My parents taught me at a young age about the importance of listening. Since then, I’ve learned it is an acquired skill. Most of us don’t come by it naturally. Our inclination is to speak and to impart our wisdom and expertise. Yet, I’ve found that when I really listen to other people’s thoughts, concerns, and points of view, I have more collaborative discussions, get more accomplished, and fortify my relationships. 

Successful railroad contractors know about listening too. We strive for a safe and quality project with the best customer service, but we know we can’t achieve those goals without first listening to our clients and understanding their wants, needs, and concerns.  

Listening has been an invaluable part of my tenure as Chairman of the NRC over the past two years. I’ve profited from enormous insights from the NRC staff and board. As our board members can attest, we encourage members to voice their opinions as we try to embrace new and fresh ideas and suggestions. These open lines of communication help the NRC provide the most for our member companies and industry partners. 

More recently, I’ve benefited from the responses of contractors and suppliers to a recent member survey. The results were extremely positive overall, with few exceptions. You say the NRC is doing a fantastic job, that we are advancing our mission of making the environment for railway construction safer and stronger. You affirm that there is no better way to network with other industry leaders and gain invaluable information for your business than at the NRC’s annual conference. And when I dig deeper into your comments, I see some consistent themes, constructive insights, and future opportunities. I also see a few negative comments, which are insightful and allow us to objectively evaluate what we’re doing. In my opinion, this constructive criticism is as valuable as an atta-boy. 

First, you agree our conference is tops, but some of you wish it was later in the year, after Class Is and short lines have finalized their capital budgets. Others suggest getting this information early helps you to refine your business plans and start impactful discussions with railway customers. We hear you. We are balancing all of this input with the advantage of securing top venues at highly discounted rates, gathering in January before work schedules get too busy, and the opportunity to be first to preview capital plans. 

Some members asked us to supplement the annual conference by exploring regional meetings or webinars to allow for more in-depth conversations on issues facing the industry as a whole and those in specific geographies. Recommended topics include best practices on engineering/construction partnering and planless deliverable, improvements with insurance providers for better coordination and lower premiums, how to better navigate federal contracts with diversity goals, and help for young professionals in networking and navigating in our industry. The NRC Board is exploring these ideas further. 

Members appreciated the work of our committees, but the survey suggests we need to do a better job of communicating their value. Some were not aware of our jobs database, which provides links to job postings of all of our member companies. The NRC introduced this new member benefit in response to our Veterans Committee, established in 2023 to address the mutual needs of veterans seeking meaningful employment and railway contractors and suppliers needing a skilled workforce. The jobs database provides a convenient way for veterans and any jobseeker to locate employment opportunities with our member companies. You tell us this is a valuable resourceand we are looking to enhance it in the future. 

Our Sustainability Committee also deserves more exposure. This insightful group excels at listening – to railroads, rail-transit authorities, and industries served by rail – to synthesize what they are hearing about current and future sustainability requirements for contractors and suppliers. Please contact the NRC if you missed their recent Sustainability newsletter, which provides practical ideas and insights for contractors and suppliers. 

I want to assure you that the NRC is listening. Your comments help us do our best work to deliver value to our members. Don’t wait for the next survey. Contact me, other NRC board members, and our staff with your comments anytime at [email protected]. 

Don’t miss what so many of you said is the best networking event of the year. Join us for the 2026 NRC Annual Conference and NRC-REMSA Exhibition in Hollywood, Florida, from January 7 to 10. Register today. 

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

– Joe