Meet The Next Generation

Hosted by AREMA and Committee 24 – Education & Professional Development

The Meet The Next Generation Event has been extremely successful in years past and continues to grow each year with more attendees and companies participating in the networking reception. Let’s make the 18th annual event even better for the next generation of railroad industry professionals!

This Event will provide:

• Prospective employees and current students the opportunity to learn about the railway industry and connect with industry representatives.

• Industry representatives a chance to establish and build relationships with potential employees.

Schedule - Monday, September 16

2:30 – 3:30 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.

3:30 – 5:30 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 boasts 21 years in the railroad industry and is currently the Vice President of Rail and Transit at WSP in Seattle, WA. She is currently working in project management, advisory, and railroad coordination 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 transit operations. The bulk of Megan’s career includes 17 years spent at BNSF Railway in various roles within the engineering department. Megan won AREMA’s Watford Fellowship in 2016, her project for BNSF WSDOT ARRA won AREMA’s William H. Hay Award in 2017, and she has been a member of AREMA Committee 24 since 2010. 

Panelists

Alison Brooks
Structural Engineer
AECOM
Alison Brooks is a structural engineer with AECOM in the Minneapolis, MN office. She has been working with the structural team with AECOM for seven years after working for two years with Tetra Tech. Alison has a BS and MS in structural engineering from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH.

Daniel Mueller
Associate Engineer
Metro North Railroad New York
Dan Mueller is an Associate Engineer with Metro North Railroad in New York City. He works on a variety of projects, most of which deal with track engineering or maintenance activities. Dan earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and Spanish from Williams College (Massachusetts), and a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During his master’s program, he focused on railroad engineering and assisted with research that used real-time rail transit wheel load data to improve wheel maintenance efficiency. Dan is passionate about public transit and hopes to use his career to improve transit services in the US.

Manuel Ramos
Senior Rail Engineer
Arup
Manuel Ramos is a Senior Rail Engineer in Arup’s Chicago office with experience in planning, design, management, and delivery of complex rail transportation projects. Manuel provides an expert approach to track design and alternatives analysis and drives the implementation of innovative digital solutions helping clients make defensible, data-driven decisions that support project goals and objectives. He has played key roles on a variety of rail projects including the Northeast Corridor CONNECT 2035 and 2037 Program, the Penn Station Expansion Project, the Penn Station Capacity Improvement Project, and the NYCT Resiliency Program. Prior to joining Arup, Manuel worked as a Graduate Research Assistant at RailTEC.  Manuel holds a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Granada in Spain. He obtained an Executive MBA from the London Imperial College Business School and was recognized for his contributions to the transportation industry by Mass Transit in their 40 Under 40 list in 2023. 

Marcelo Suárez
Civil Engineer
Hanson
Originally from Ecuador, Marcelo Suárez is a civil engineer working on rail projects since starting his master’s degree at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Professionally, he has worked since 2015 with Hanson Professional Services at their Seattle office. He has experience as a contractor back in his home country, building roads, sewer lines, and bridges. In his consultancy work in the US, he has worked on projects ranging from capacity expansion for Class 1 Railroads, rail yard design, fish passages, and construction observation, amongst other things. He is passionate about community involvement and volunteering for organizations that benefit vulnerable populations and the planet.

Jennifer Young
Account Manager
CPKC
Jennifer Young is an Account Manager for Canadian Pacific Kansas City based in Kansas City, MO. In this role, she manages the customer experience within the Energy, Chemicals, and Plastics line of business, involving cross-functional engagement to drive new business opportunities, execute price and marketing strategies, and generate quality revenue growth and retention. Jennifer has been in the rail industry for seven years, starting with internships at Canadian National, Chicago Transit Authority, and BNSF. As a dual-sport athlete, she earned a BS in civil engineering and an ME in transportation engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. After graduation, Jennifer joined BNSF’s Engineering Management Training Program in Chicago, IL.  She worked as a Supervisor Engineering Support in Fort Worth, TX, and as a System Construction Roadmaster, leading teams to build double mainline track extensions, turnout replacements, and yard reconfiguration projects. Jennifer is a member of AREMA Committee 24 - Education & Professional Development, supporting as the Student Speaker Lead. 

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