NRC Chairman’s Column: It’s Never Too Late to Commit to This New Year’s Resolution

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

Courtesy of NRC

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

By the time you read this, most of us will have already abandoned our New Year’s resolutions. In fact, studies show that only about nine percent of Americans who make resolutions actually keep them.  

But I’ve got a resolution worth adopting at home and on the job. This management practice focuses on the importance of providing positive feedback. 

Sure, it is easier to see the negative – to criticize poor behaviors and omissions. And correction is a necessary part of managing employees. But giving others an ‘attaboy” or “good job” boosts morale and will help them accept criticism when it comes rather than taking it personally. According to research related to high-performing business teams, the ideal praise-to-criticism ratio is 5:1. So for every negative comment you make, you need to share five positive comments. That’s not easily done. Like any good habit, it requires intent and takes practice. 

I had the good fortune of delivering positive feedback to our top performers in the industry at the NRC conference in Marco Island, Florida, in early January. The award winners detailed below deserve your praise and congratulations. 

Safe Contractor of the Year – Fifty-three contractors earned bragging rights for their safety performance in 2024 when they were recognized with a platinum, gold, silver, or bronze “Safe Contractor of the Year” award. 

Earning this award is no cakewalk. Judging is objective and rigorous across six categories: 1) Workers’ Compensation Experience Rating, 2) OSHA Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, 3) OSHA Statistics Violations, 4) Roadway Worker Protection Training, 5) Safety Program Elements, and 6) Company Vehicle Accident Score.  

Projects of the Year –These awards honor innovation, expertise, and quality project management applied towards the successful execution of a rail construction project.  

Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. won the Large Project of the Year award (projects more than $10 million) for its Northwest Extension Phase II Project, a 1.6-mile extension of Valley Metro’s light rail line in Phoenix. The complex project added three new light rail stations and featured a series of “firsts” for Valley Metro, including the first elevated station, a rail-only bridge over I-17, a four-story parking garage, and a multi-modal transit center. Kiewit completed the project with zero recordable incidents. 

The NRC recognized R.J. Corman Railroad Services with the Small Project of the Year award (projects less than $10 million) for its Siding Extension Double-Track Project for CSX in Wells, Maine. R.J. Corman demonstrated its experience and know-how by constructing the six-mile, materials-intensive siding between Wells and North Berwick, Maine, in a confined area with access via only three crossings. They performed work around CSX and Amtrak train operations and finished with a strong safety record. 

Field Employee of the Year Award – The NRC honored Omaha Track’s Field Crew Superintendent Greg Coleman with this prestigious award. Greg – who has worked in the industry for more than 30 years – is admired for consistently going the extra mile in everything he does, whether leading a team or managing a worksite. He is a positive example to other employees, does not take shortcuts, follows all processes, and meticulously shows immense pride and passion for his work.  

Innovation in Technology and Process Award – This award recognizes innovation and unique technologies/services and/or processes, created or implemented by an NRC member company.  

The NRC awarded FTS Tools with first place award for it for EZ Jack Track Maintenance Tool, a 10-ton rated, battery-operated lifting jack delivering an unprecedented combination of portability, efficiency, and environmental consciousness. Its lightweight nature allows for easy transport and use across various rail work scenarios, from daily maintenance tasks to urgent lifting needs. 

The second-place award went to Holland L.P., for its Argus 2.0 Track Inspector System. This portable inspection system combines track geometry with visual inspection expertise in an easily deployed universal hitch mount inspection package. Its design allows railroads and contractors to convert any available hi-rail platform with a hitch mount into an inspection vehicle. 

Congratulations to all our winners! Let me encourage you to be intentional throughout this new year, recognize your teams, support staff, suppliers, and customers for contributing to your shared successes. Let’s all make 2025 a safe and successful year. 

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

Joe