Hellmann Headlining Inaugural ‘Young Professionals’ Conference
Written by Railway Age Staff
John C. Hellmann, CEO, Genesee & Wyoming
Topping the list of reasons to attend Railway Age’s inaugural Young Professionals conference, to be held virtually May 11, is keynote speaker John C. Hellmann, CEO of Genesee & Wyoming, a short line and regional railroad holding company that owns or leases 115 freight railroads world-wide.
Hellmann, who joined Genesee & Wyoming in January 2000, was named Railway Age’s Railroader of the Year in 2018. Just 47 at that time, he was one the industry’s youngest chief executives. Yet, this long-time railroader has international experience, as well as expertise in finance and business development. Hellmann oversees a growing company that in recent years has invested more than $2 billion in acquisitions and operating agreements. He has also been expanding the company into related transportation markets.
Hellmann will share his career story, offer advice to current railroaders looking to move up the ranks, and discuss the industry’s immediate and long-term needs.
Need more reasons to participate in Railway Age Young Professionals? Here are five:
- Learn from experienced young executives from the passenger and freight rail markets.
- Discover opportunities for career advancement.
- Connect with top industry executives.
- Explore the industry’s networking and career development opportunities – from Employee Research Groups (ERGs) and mentorships to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
- Take a deep dive into the Mechanical, Marketing and Service Design, Engineering (Maintenance-of-Way), Finance, and Communications and Signaling – IT disciplines.
Railway Age Young Professionals is your chance to participate in a dialogue with today’s “fast trackers.” Among the other speakers on the lineup:
Meet John C. Hellmann
Hellmann joined Genesee & Wyoming in January 2000 and served as Chief Financial Officer through April 2005. He was named President in May 2005 and became CEO in June 2007, succeeding Mortimer B. Fuller III, a great-grandson of Edward L. Fuller, who founded the 14.5-mile Genesee &Wyoming Railroad Co. in 1899.
Previously, Hellmann worked in investment banking at Lehman Brothers, Inc., in the Emerging Communications Group, and at Schroder & Co. Inc., in the Transportation Group. He also worked for Weyerhaeuser Co. in Japan and the People’s Republic of China. Hellmann is a graduate of Princeton University and received an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
Railway Age Young Professionals
In addition to its speakers, Railway Age Young Professionals is being supported by several sponsors, including Genesee & Wyoming (gold), Edna A. Rice Executive Recruiters (case study), Inc., AREMA (bronze) and Watco (bronze).
Serving as moderators of the fireside-chat style sessions are: Railway Age Executive Editor Marybeth Luczak and Senior Editor Carolina Worrell, plus Nick Little, Director Railway Education, Center for Railway Research & Education at Michigan State University, and judge of Railway Age’s “Fast Trackers” 25 Under 40 awards program since its establishment in 2016.
Registration includes access to the more than three-hour live event, as well as the ability to view it on demand for six months.
- Register for Railway Age Young Professionals, a no-cost virtual event, to be held May 11, 1:00 p.m. – 4:25 p.m.
- To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Jonathan Chalon at [email protected] or (212) 620-7224.
