Seidl named NEARS President at Fall Conference

The North East Association of Rail Shippers (NEARS) wrapped up its Fall 2017 Conference in Pittsburgh, Pa., “with record attendance and a plethora of outstanding speakers.,” according to Executive Director Scott McCalla. “This impressive lineup was highlighted by speakers from industry leading companies such as CN, Conrail, CSX, Koppers, Transplace, and US Steel.” And Cown and Company Managing Director and Railway Age Wall Street Contributing Editor Jason Seidl was elected President, succeeding Donald Cameron of Yusen Logistics (Americas), to serve the next two years.

The 2017 Fall Conference “attracted more than 300 professionals from all facets of the transportation industry,” noted McCalla. “We allotted ample time for quality networking, which was especially important as more than 20% of the attendees were first-time participants.”

NEARS honored Richard Robey of the North Shore Railroad as Transportation Person of the Year. Robey founded the North Shore Railroad, which today employs 100 people, and was previously honored as Railway Age’s 2017 Short Line Railroad of the Year.

“NEARS gives back to the community,” said McCalla. The organization awarded 11 scholarships to high school and college students showing high academic achievement and excellence. Through a special raffle of two hand-made wooden American flags, NEARS also raised a large sum to be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization NEARS has supported for many years.

NEARS President JasonSeidl “is no stranger to NEARS, as he has spoken on the stage many times, bringing transportation financial insights to those in attendance,” said McCalla. “He will serve for the next two years and will guide the organization as NEARS continues to grow and gather the best speakers the industry has to offer.” NEARS also appointed Dennis Wilmot of Iron Horse Logistics to 1st Vice President and Eric Breiterman of Advansix to 2nd Vice President.

The next NEARS Conference will be Spring 2018, in Newport, R.I., April 18-20 at the Newport Marriott. More information is available at www.nears.org.