Whiting’s Heldt elected LRIW President

The League of Railway Industry Women has elected Jodi Heldt, a 20-year customer service veteran with railcar maintenance equipment manufacturer Whiting Corp., as President at its annual conference, held at Railway Interchange 2015 in Minneapolis. She was previously LRIW Second Vice President.

“Jodi was elected to the Executive Board in 2013, and during that time has contributed to the progressive change and strong leadership of our Board,” said LRIW Immediate Past President Susan Robertson. “We are very much looking forward to her being President of the League.”

Starting her career in Whiting’s Parts Department, Heldt has worked in several roles within the company. In her current role as Sales Administration Manager, she is responsible for coordinating all pre-sales efforts of Whiting’s railcar maintenance equipment business.

“For Whiting’s railcar maintenance equipment business, Jodi is the hub in our wheel. She deals with various folks at railroads, metro transit authorities, engineering and construction firms and industry consultants,” said Whiting Corp. President Jeff Kahn. “She is equally adept at discussing Drop Tables, Car Hoists, and Portable Electric Jacks with engineers and in dealing with terms and conditions to finalize a contract. Her diligent follow-up on all matters keeps that figurative wheel smoothly turning. The professionalism, communication skills and get-it-done attitude she shows at Whiting will well-serve the League of Railway Industry Women’s mission.”

Founded in 1997, the League of Railway Industry Women “is dedicated to providing leadership and support for the personal and professional growth of women in railroading and railway-related businesses.” LRIW is open to all women employed by railroads or other railway businesses, including railroad governing agencies or associations, locomotive and railcar builders, railroad and railcar parts and services suppliers, rail shippers and leasing companies.

Headquartered in Monee, Ill., Whiting Corp. is a major manufacturer of custom-built rail maintenance equipment and overhead cranes. “Whiting’s state-of-the-art facility is a fully equipped, integrated manufacturing facility with a complete machine shop for material preparation, fabrication, machining and component assembly and testing,” the company says. The facility also houses the headquarters and a regional office for Whiting Services, Inc., which specializes in the maintenance and inspection of Whiting rail maintenance equipment and overhead cranes, as well as similar equipment of other manufacturers. “Together, Whiting and Whiting Services provide high-quality, rugged cranes and rail maintenance equipment, replacement parts, and world-class services, including inspections, maintenance programs, installations, on-site repairs, training and modernizations.”