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 address the unique needs of the railroad industry effectively.
Many thanks to all of our Advisory Board Members:
- John Aliberti—Owner / President, Trainyard Tech, LLC
- Danielle Behe—Supervisor Ballast and Production, Norfolk Southern
- Ed Boyle—Vice President of Engineering, Norfolk Southern
- Robert (Bob) Bourg—Group Vice President, Core Electronics, Retired - 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, MXV Rail (formerly named 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
- Alan Hamilton—Group Vice President, Technology, Wabtec Corporation Erie
- Todd Kuhn—General Director Maintenance Planning, BNSF Railway
- Eric Levin—VP Engineering & Mechanical, Consolidated Rail Corp.
- Richard Lobron—Director Rail Operations -WSP-USA Mobility Operations, Formerly: Amtrak, Phila. As of March 2015 he is now with The Thomas D. Larson PA Transportation Institute
- 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. Retired June 2015
- Michael McNamara—HNTB Corp
- Philip Merilli—Formerly: Vice President of Engineering, Norfolk Southern
- Bharat Peddu—Project Track Engineer, Gannett Fleming
- Lee Moss—Vice President Infrastructure, Amtrak
- William Riehl, III—Chief Engineer Structures, Genesee &Wyoming Railroad Service
- Mark Ritchey—President, Curry Companies
- Scott Sauer—Chief Operating Officer, SEPTA
- Daniel Seery—Trackwork Design Engineer, HNTB Corp
- Kevin Stokes—Director of Train Control, CSX
- Joe Smak—Formerly: Amtrak - Director of Engineering, Retired June 2018 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)
- Timothy Tierney—Formerly: President and Chief Operating Officer, Consolidated Rail Corp.
- Ashley Wieland—President, National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Assoc
- Bruce Wise—Director of Product Management, Loram Maintenance of Way
Statements of Support
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
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
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
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."
