Meet The Next Generation

Hosted by AREMA and Committee 24 – Education & Training

The Meet The Next Generation Event has been extremely successful in years past and continues to grow each year with more attendees and companies hosting tables at the networking reception. Let’s make the 17th Annual Event even better for the next generation of railroad industry professionals!

This Event will provide:

• Prospective employees and students the opportunity to learn about the railway industry and meet industry representatives.

• Industry representatives a chance to establish relations with potential employees.

Schedule - Monday, October 2

2:00 – 3:00 PM
Panel Discussion
Five panelists with varying years of experience and backgrounds within the railway industry will discuss the types of projects they have worked on, the career paths they’ve taken, and answer questions from the audience.

3:00 – 5:00 PM 
Networking Reception
Two-hour Networking Reception featuring the Meet the Next Generation sponsors who are looking to hire prospective railroaders and those who are new to the industry.

Moderator

Megan McIntyre
Vice President of Rail and Transit
WSP
Megan McIntyre serves as the Vice President of Rail and Transit at WSP in Seattle, WA. She is currently working on railroad coordination and advisory roles for state and local public agencies all across the US. Prior to WSP, Megan spent 2 years at Sound Transit both in light rail capital expansion and as Chief of Staff for the Operations Department. The bulk of Megan’s professional experience was spent at BNSF Railway with 17 years in various roles within the engineering department. Notable roles include 5 years as Manager of Engineering for a project that won AREMA’s William H. Hay Award in 2017 as well as her final role at BNSF as Assistant Director of Public Projects for the western half of BNSF’s system.

Panelists

Rebecca Brake
Facilities Engineer
BNSF Railway
Rebecca Brake is a Facilities Engineer based in Kansas City for BNSF Railway. She started at BNSF as a Management Trainee in June 2017. She then became a Project Engineer for Capital Expansion where she focused on the design of several siding extensions. Then, Rebecca joined the Public Projects group and assisted in partnering with public agencies in the pursuit of enhancing grade crossings for public and railroad safety. Next, Rebecca was a Project Engineer in the Intermodal and Automotive Construction group. Here, she led the Facility Replacement program at intermodal and automotive facilities across the southern half of BNSF’s rail system, coordinating construction activities with various departments. Rebecca began her current role in May 2022 and now oversees the construction projects at two of BNSF’s largest mechanical facilities located in Kansas City, KS, and Lincoln, NE. Projects range from life safety improvements to large equipment replacements. Prior to joining the railroad, Rebecca received a civil engineering degree from the University of Alabama.

Troy Creasy
Branch Manager of Design & Construction
North Carolina Department of Transportation Rail Division
Troy Creasy is the Branch Manager of Design & Construction for the North Carolina Department of Transportation Rail Division based in Raleigh, NC. In his role, Troy serves as the chief railroad design and construction engineer where he leads multiple units to deliver projects and programs and develop standards, policies, and procedures. Troy also oversees North Carolina’s statewide rail signals program for highway-railroad grade crossings and train control signaling. Prior to coming to NCDOT, Troy spent 12 years working for CSX Transportation in various engineering leadership roles. Troy holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University. Also, Troy is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of North Carolina. Troy is a member of the AREMA Committee 5 Track and AREMA Committee 36 Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Warning Systems.

Paige Hardt
Civil Engineer
TranSystems
Paige Hardt specializes in Class 1 Railroad Main Line and Siding Track Design. Paige joined TranSystems as an Intern in the summer of 2019 and 2020, then began her career in rail infrastructure after graduating from the University of Wyoming in May 2021. She has been a member of AREMA since 2022 and recently joined Committee 13 – Environmental. Paige is excited to be continuing her education at the University of Illinois and has started a Master's Program in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering with a railway transportation focus.

Tom Roadcap
Project Engineer
Brightline Trains
Tom Roadcap is a Project Engineer at Brightline Trains and is involved in design review, construction planning, construction management, and MOW planning at both Brightline Florida and Brightline West. Tom holds BS and MS degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois, where he did research with RailTEC, led the AREMA Student Chapter, and worked summers at the Union Pacific and Canadian National Railroads. Prior to joining Brightline, Tom worked on railroad track research and testing in Munich, Germany as part of a Fulbright research project. He has also spent time volunteering with his church, working as a congressional intern, and volunteering as a ranger with the National Park Service.

April Rocker
Senior Manager of Signal Design
Union Pacific Railroad

April Rocker is a Senior Manager of Signal Design for Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha, NE. In this role, she manages the design of the Hump Process Control Systems and Remote Control Locomotive Pullbacks in addition to managing the Signal Capital budget for the classification and flat yard projects across the UP system. Rocker joined Union Pacific in 2004 as an Operating Management trainee in the Signal Department and has held various positions during her career with the railroad including an Assistant Manager of Signal Maintenance, Signal Electrical Engineer, and Manager of Signal Design. April is a member of AREMA Committee 14- Yards and Terminals. She holds a bachelor's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Michigan State University.

To become a Meet the Next Generation Sponsor, please make your reservation today .