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  1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Bachelor's Degrees
  4. Rail Transportation Engineering

Advisory Board

RTE Industry Advisory Board

The Industry Advisory Board for the Rail Transportation Engineering program at Penn State Altoona is comprised of a diverse cross-section of high-level railroad industry professionals from various sectors of the railroad industry. Our Advisory Board has played a key role in developing the RTE program and steering our efforts in order to effectively address the unique needs of the railroad industry.

Many thanks to all of our Advisory Board Members:

  • Danielle Behe—Work Equipment Supervisor, CSX
  • Ed Boyle—Vice President of Engineering, Norfolk Southern
  • Robert (Bob) Bourg—Group Vice President, Core Electronics, Wabtec Corporation
  • Eric Bruder—Senior VP of Finance / CFO / Treasurer, Herzog Enterprises Inc.
  • Seenu Chundru—President, PS Technology, Inc., PS Technology, Inc.
  • Scott Cummings—Asst VP Research Innovation, TTCI
  • Eric Donnell—Director of Thomas D Larson Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Larson Transportation Institute
  • Terry Evans—Board of Directors, Corman Railroad Group and President CHEE, LLC, Corman Railroad Group
  • Todd Kuhn—General Director Line Maintenance, BNSF Railway
  • Eric Levin—Assistant VP Engineering & Mechanical Policy at Conrail, Consolidated Rail Corp.
  • Richard Lobron—Formerly: Chief-Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Investment Development Business Line, Formerly: Amtrak, Phila
Richard Lobron | Rail Transportation Engineering Advisory Board
  • Robert (Bob) Lund Jr.—Deputy General Manager, SEPTA
  • Charles Marshall—Consultant (Pottstown, PA), Penn State Altoona
  • Henry McCreary—Formerly: Director of Positive Train Control Communications, CSX Transportation
  • Michael McNamara—President (Audubon, PA), Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems
  • Philip Merilli—Formerly: Vice President of Engineering, Norfolk Southern
  • Lee Moss—Chief Engineer, CSX
  • Mark Ritchey—President, Curry Rail Supply
  • Daniel Seery—Trackwork Design Engineer, HNTB Corp
  • Joe Smak—Formerly: Senior Director of Track Maintenance and Compliance, Formerly Amtrak
  • Jo Strang—Vice President Regulatory Affairs, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association
  • Gerhard Thelen—Former VP Operations Planning &Support (VA Beach), Retired (Norfolk Southern)
Gerhard Thelen | Rail Transportation Engineering Advisory Board
  • Timothy Tierney—Formerly: President and Chief Operating Officer, Consolidated Rail Corp.
  • Ashley Wieland—President, National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Assoc
  • Bruce Wise—Director of Business Development – Friction Management, Loram Maintenance of Way

Statements of Support

Mr. Scott Goehri, P.E., ENV SP

Mr. Scott Goehri, P.E., ENV SP

SVP & Professional Services Director, HDR, Olathe, KS

"The RTE Program gives students a strong foundation to begin building their career path into the railroad industry. The broad railroad specific knowledge gained through this program prepares the student for employment opportunities with a wide range of railroad industry employers (railroads, suppliers, vendors, contractors, consultants, and agencies). It also provides a springboard for becoming actively engaged in operations, engineering, construction, maintenance, and many other service areas."

Mr. Michael McNamara

Mr. Michael McNamara

President, Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems

"According to APTA (American Public Transit Association), there will be 1.5 million jobs in the passenger rail transportation industry over the next 20 years. It is a great opportunity for a gratifying career that benefits society."

Ms. Lisa A. Stabler

Ms. Lisa A. Stabler

President, Transportation Technology Center, Inc.

"With strong support from railroads, suppliers and industry consultants, the Penn State Altoona program provides the next generation of railroaders with the educational background that they need to be immediately successful in the rail industry."

Mr. Gerhard Thelen

Mr. Gerhard Thelen

Former VP Operations Planning & Support (VA Beach)
Retired from Norfolk Southern

"The Penn State Altoona Rail Transportation Engineering Program fills a need that railroads, suppliers, and consulting firms have been seeking for quite some time. A rail specific engineering program will generate graduates who meet the requirements of today's railroad industry. This program provides the basic skills and education for a successful life-time career and will be the source of tomorrow's leaders."

Rail Transportation Engineering

  • Request Information about Rail Transportation Engineering
  • Program Overview
  • Degree Information
  • Suggested Academic Plan
  • Program Objectives and Outcomes
  • Enrollment and Graduation Information
  • ABET Accreditation
  • Advisory Board
  • Hands-on Education
    • Field Trips
    • Senior Projects
    • Undergraduate Research
    • Engineering and Business Case Competition
    • AREMA Student Chapter
  • Research
  • Scholarships
  • RTE Job Board
  • Women in Engineering Design Competition
  • Tracks to the Future: Summer Camp for High School Students
  • Rail Transportation Engineering Faculty and Staff
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Out-of-Class Learning

Explore out-of-classroom academic experiences that complement in-class learning, including study abroad/study away programs, internships, undergraduate research, and community-based studies.

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See Also

  • Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Division of Business, Engineering, and Information Sciences & Technology
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State's campuses with Penn State Altoona highlighted

Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
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Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Welcome from the Chancellor
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • College Leadership
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-Class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Robert L. Smith Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Center for Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • International Student Services
    • Housing
    • Parking
    • Police and Safety
    • Career Services
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
  • Research & Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Community-Based Studies
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
    • Schedule
    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
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    • Hall of Fame
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    • COVID-19 Information
    • Penn State Altoona Connect
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