NEARS Fall Conference 2026

Michael Rutherford

Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation

Michael Rutherford leads DOT’s Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy. He brings more than two decades of transportation and consumer goods experience, including roles at CSX, Johnson & Johnson and Adidas. He holds degrees from Georgetown University and SDA Bocconi.

The State of Transportation
Thursday, October 8 | 8:45 a.m.

Kenny Rocker

Executive Vice President Marketing & Sales, Union Pacific

Kenny Rocker oversees Union Pacific’s Bulk, Industrial and Premium businesses and related commercial functions. He joined Union Pacific in 1994 and was appointed Executive Vice President of Marketing & Sales in 2018. He earned a finance degree from Tuskegee University.

Union Pacific Update and Fireside Chat with Kenny Rocker
Thursday, October 8 | 9:45 a.m.

Farrukh A. Bezar

Managing Partner, Lynwood Partners, LLC

Farrukh Bezar founded Lynwood Partners in 2017. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at CSX, following leadership roles at Clarendon, Booz Allen Hamilton and A.T. Kearney. He holds undergraduate and MBA degrees from Northwestern University.

How We Overcome Rail Challenges in 2027 and Beyond
Thursday, October 8 | 11:00 a.m.

Ed Dickens

Senior Manager, Union Pacific Heritage Operations, Union Pacific

Ed Dickens has headed Union Pacific’s steam team since 2010 and led the restoration effort for Big Boy No. 4014. His career includes operating and repairing steam locomotives at Georgetown Loop and Durango & Silverton before joining Southern Pacific in 1993.

Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of America — The Union Pacific Steam Team
Thursday, October 8 | 1:30 p.m.

Austin Barker

Manager, Heritage Fleet, Union Pacific

Austin Barker is a member of Union Pacific’s heritage operations team and Big Boy Steam Tour Team. His experience includes serving as a lead journeyman machinist on the team undertaking the restoration of Big Boy No. 4014.

Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of America — The Union Pacific Steam Team
Thursday, October 8 | 1:30 p.m.

Kirt Clark

Engineer, Heritage Fleet, Union Pacific

Kirt Clark serves as an engineer with Union Pacific’s Heritage Fleet and is a member of the Big Boy Steam Tour Team. His steam locomotive experience includes serving as a fireman on the team involved in the Big Boy restoration project.

Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of America — The Union Pacific Steam Team
Thursday, October 8 | 1:30 p.m.

Tony Hatch

Principal, ABH Consulting

Tony Hatch is a longtime railroad and transportation analyst. His Wall Street career included Salomon Brothers, Argus, PaineWebber and NatWest before he established his independent consultancy in 1999.

The Much Anticipated and Always Informative Tony and Jason Show
Thursday, October 8 | 2:30 p.m.

Also moderating The State of Transportation.
Thursday, October 8 | 8:45 a.m.

Jason Seidl

Managing Director, TD Cowen

Jason Seidl covers air freight and surface transportation for TD Cowen. He joined Cowen through its acquisition of Dahlman Rose in 2013 and previously worked in trucking and parcel transportation. A former NEARS president, he holds degrees from Syracuse University and Rutgers University.

The Much Anticipated and Always Informative Tony and Jason Show
Thursday, October 8 | 2:30 p.m.

Jason also moderates three conference sessions listed below.

Henry Posner III

Chairman, Railroad Development Corp.

Henry Posner III co-founded Railroad Development Corporation in 1987 after beginning full-time railroad service at Conrail in 1977. He also chairs Iowa Interstate Railroad and serves as president of the EBT Foundation. He holds degrees from Princeton University and the Wharton School.

An Hour with a Railroad Legend — Transportation Perspectives and Prognostication
Friday, October 9 | 8:15 a.m.

EQT Corporation Representative

Speaker to Be Announced

A representative from EQT Corporation will join the conference for a discussion of natural gas and its role in keeping us powered. Speaker details will be added when announced.

Rail Energy — Keeping Us Powered with Natural Gas
Friday, October 9 | 9:15 a.m.

Cyrus Robinson

Special Project Manager, Kreamer Feeds

Cyrus Robinson oversees strategic capital funding and infrastructure improvements at Kreamer Feed. He is a graduate of Villanova’s Project Management program and Leadership Susquehanna Valley. He also assists with automotive fleet maintenance management.

Local Success Story — Growing Strong Sustainable Farms and Thriving Communities
Friday, October 9 | 10:15 a.m.

Tony Hatch

Principal, ABH Consulting

Railroad and transportation analyst with experience across Wall Street research and independent consulting. Tony also appears as a featured speaker in the Tony and Jason Show.

Moderating: The State of Transportation
Thursday, October 8 | 8:45 a.m.

Jason Seidl

Managing Director Industrials, TD Cowen

Transportation research analyst and former NEARS president with experience in investment research and the transportation industry. Jason also appears in the Tony and Jason Show.

John Meyers

Director of Sales, D.M. Bowman

John Meyers brings more than 25 years of experience in logistics, trucking and rail. His professional background includes transportation sales and industry leadership.

Dennis Wilmot

President, Iron Horse Logistics Group

Dennis Wilmot founded Iron Horse Logistics Group in 2002. His railroad career began in 1974 and includes railroad operations and accounting, followed by managing rail, truck, barge and ocean transportation for industrial shippers.

Co-Moderating: Shippers Forum Breakout
Bringing Shippers Together for Important Discussions
Thursday, October 8 | 3:45 p.m.
Rail shippers only | Crawford Room, 3rd Floor

Also introducing Marissa DeBona for Welcome to Pittsburgh.
Thursday, October 8 | 8:10 a.m.

Scott McCalla

Executive Director, NEARS

Scott McCalla’s background includes Vermont Railway and 16 years at Omya in fleet coordination, logistics, business analysis and business systems. He founded Maxem Consulting in 2010 to provide rail logistics and business consulting.

Co-Moderating: Shippers Forum Breakout
Bringing Shippers Together for Important Discussions
Thursday, October 8 | 3:45 p.m.
Rail shippers only | Crawford Room, 3rd Floor

Thomas Coleman

Business Development, Northeast Freight Transfer

Thomas Coleman brings experience in terminal operations, rail logistics and supply chain development. His work includes commercial relationships and the growth of rail-served logistics across the Northeast Freight Transfer family of companies.

Moderating: Rail Energy — Keeping Us Powered with Natural Gas
Friday, October 9 | 9:15 a.m.

Joseph Kantz

Business & Development Manager, North Shore Railroad Co.

Joseph “Joe” Kantz combines railroad business development experience with longstanding public service as a Snyder County commissioner. He is also a Pennsylvania licensed auctioneer.

Moderating: Local Success Story — Growing Strong Sustainable Farms and Thriving Communities
Friday, October 9 | 10:15 a.m.

Rob Pisani

1st Vice President, NEARS

Rob Pisani’s rail industry career began at ACF Industries in 1994. His experience includes Union Carbide/Dow, Atlas Model Railroad, American Railcar Industries and CIT Rail. He is a graduate of Montclair State University.

Welcome to NEARS, Safety Briefing and Housekeeping
Thursday, October 8 | 8:00 a.m.

Marissa DeBona

Vice President, The Traffic Club of Pittsburgh

Marissa DeBona is a logistics and supply chain professional at TMS International with more than 19 years of experience. Her service with the Traffic Club of Pittsburgh includes roles as governor and Second Vice President before becoming Vice President in June 2026.

Welcome to Pittsburgh
Thursday, October 8 | 8:10 a.m.
Introduced by Dennis Wilmot

Dennis Wilmot

President, Iron Horse Logistics Group

Founder of Iron Horse Logistics Group with extensive railroad operations and multimodal shipper experience. Dennis also co-moderates the Shippers Forum.

Introduction: Marissa DeBona — Welcome to Pittsburgh
Thursday, October 8 | 8:10 a.m.

Michael Koehler

Director Marketing & Sales, Union Pacific

Michael Koehler’s transportation background includes industrial chemicals, petroleum products, energy and automotive logistics. He has held marketing and sales roles at Union Pacific and leadership responsibilities at ShipCarsNow.

Introduction: The Union Pacific Steam Team
Thursday, October 8 | 1:30 p.m.

Barbara Horton

Rail & Stockpile Administration, American Rock Salt

Barbara Horton joined American Rock Salt in 2000, working primarily in transportation and logistics. Her earlier career includes manufacturing accounting and ten years in car accounting and railcar leasing responsibilities at Genesee & Wyoming Industries.

NEARS Hall of Fame Award Recipient

Jan McNeal

Retired, Finger Lakes Railway

Jan McNeal formerly served as Vice President of Marketing & Sales at Finger Lakes Railway. McNeal’s career spans more than 40 years of railroad marketing and sales experience.

NEARS Hall of Fame Award Recipient