NS
NS on Veterans Day is honoring service members who it says “bring their leadership, discipline, and mission-focused mindset to our railroad.” From yards to headquarters and everywhere in between, active-duty and veteran employees “play a vital role in keeping our operations strong and our network moving—helping us serve customers and communities across America,” according to the Class I railroad, a Military Friendly® company that is on the 2025 Military Times Best for Vets: Employers list.
NS released a Q&A with a few of those active-duty and veteran employees, which Railway Age reproduces in full below. (All photographs courtesy of NS.)
Susan Decker
EEO Compliance & Reporting Manager (Human Resources)
Atlanta, Georgia
Joined NS in 2007
Branch of Service: United States Navy
Years of Service: 1983 – 2007
Highest Rank: Chief Petty Officer
Military Occupational Specialty: Information Systems Technician
What was your job in the military, in civilian-friendly terms?
Over the course of my 24-year career in the United States Navy, I held a variety of leadership and operational roles across multiple global deployments. In my final assignment aboard the U.S.S. Bataan, I served as the Leading Chief Petty Officer for the Automated Data Processing (ADP) Division. In this capacity, I led a team of 25 sailors responsible for maintaining the ship’s communications systems and safeguarding its computer networks against cyber threats, ensuring mission-critical systems remained secure and fully operational.
How did you get started at Norfolk Southern, and what drew you to the company?
During my transition from the Navy, I attended a Transition Assistance Program (TAP) class where Norfolk Southern participated in the accompanying job fair. I was drawn to their Operational Supervisor Trainee program, which was specifically designed to help military veterans step into leadership roles within the company. I was impressed by the structured environment of the transportation department and saw strong alignment with my military background. Additionally, the long-term retirement benefits offered by a career in the railroad industry made the opportunity even more appealing.
How do your military skills or experiences help you succeed in your current role?
My military background instilled a strong sense of discipline, integrity, and attention to detail—qualities that are essential in EEO compliance and reporting. I’m able to navigate complex regulations, lead with accountability, and foster equitable practices across the organization. These experiences have equipped me to manage sensitive issues with professionalism and clarity.
Stephen Heald
Supervisor of Scale Inspection
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Joined NS in 2005
Branch of Service: NC Army National Guard
Years of Service: 2002 – 2023
Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
Military Occupational Specialty: 15B Aircraft Powerplant Repairer
What was your job in the military, in civilian-friendly terms?
I inspected, serviced, repaired, and replaced turbine engines on Army helicopters.
How did you get started at Norfolk Southern, and what drew you to the company?
The employer I was working for at the time was talking about having a lay-off and an acquaintance of my in-laws told me about an upcoming hiring session. The only thing I really knew about the company / railroad at the time is how everyone always talked about how good a job it is.
Tell us about your current role at NS.
Supervisor of Scale Inspections; responsible for overseeing the condition, compliance, and safe operation of scales and scale test equipment. Ensuring the scales are operating properly, compliant with federal and company standards, and inspection / record-keeping is being done.
How do your military skills or experiences help you succeed in your current role?
With deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan plus numerous stateside training missions have helped me sharpen these skills — attention to detail, time management, the ability to lead a group towards a common goal and the ability to work in austere environments which have all prepared me for my current and previous roles at Norfolk Southern.
Jesse Jokinen
Supervisor of Bridge Inspections
Painesville, Ohio
Joined NS in 2005
Branch of Service: U.S. Marines
Years of Service: 1991 – 2003
Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
Military Occupational Specialty: 1371/ Combat Engineer
What was your job in the military, in civilian-friendly terms?
My primary job as a Combat Engineer was to use high explosives to divert or destroy enemy targets. Another job for Combat Engineers was to assemble two types of bridges, both the IRB (Improved Ribbon Bridge) and the MGB (Medium Girder Bridge). The IRB is a bridge loaded on specially outfitted trucks and backed into a body of water and dropped from a vehicle where it would float and open. Several of these would be dropped, and boats would assemble them together to essentially make a floating bridge. The MGB is like Legos. You assemble the small pieces together over a gap to create a bridge.
How did you get started at Norfolk Southern, and what drew you to the company?
I was drawn to Norfolk Southern through family; my father, grandfather, uncle, and great uncle worked for Conrail, Norfolk Western and Norfolk Southern.
Tell us about your current role at NS.
My current role at Norfolk Southern is Supervisor of Bridge Inspections. I operate an under-bridge inspection vehicle to inspect areas on bridges that are difficult to reach.
How do your military skills or experiences help you succeed in your current role?
The skills and experiences that I brought from my years of service would be leadership and the ability to adapt to a changing environment.
Kevin Kainer
Mechanical Management Trainee
Roanoke, Virginia
Joined NS in 2025
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
Years of Service: 2006 – 2021
Highest Rank: Sergeant First Class
Military Occupational Specialty: 19D Cavalry Scout
What was your job in the military, in civilian-friendly terms?
In the military I worked as a Reconnaissance Specialist trained to engage the enemy using real time intelligence.
How did you get started at Norfolk Southern, and what drew you to the company?
I moved from CPKC over to Norfolk Southern. I dealt a lot with Norfolk Southern trains, and it brought me over. Norfolk Southern has a rich history, and I wanted to be a part of it.
Tell us about your current role at NS.
I am a Management Trainee – Mechanical.
How do your military skills or experiences help you succeed in your current role?
The military skills help with an environment like the railroad. Aspects from the military like structure, rules, regulations, and safety have all helped me at Norfolk Southern.
Terry McCoy
Senior Technology Engineer
Atlanta, Georgia
Joined NS in 2019
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
Years of Service: 2000 – 2005
Highest Rank: Specialist
Military Occupational Specialty: 11B – Infantry Team Leader
What was your job in the military, in civilian-friendly terms?
I served in the U.S. Army as a Combat Infantry Team Leader with the 101st Airborne Division. My time in service took me from Fort Benning, Georgia, to more than a dozen locations, from the cold arctic of Alaska to the hot streets of Fallujah, Iraq. I led a small team through complex missions where every decision mattered, not just for the mission but for the people beside me. It taught me the value of teamwork, adaptability, and staying calm under pressure.
How did you get started at Norfolk Southern, and what drew you to the company?
I joined NS after a fellow veteran and former co-worker encouraged me to consider the company. He believed my background in Operational Technology (OT), Cybersecurity, and Leadership would be a strong fit for NS’s mission. After learning more about the opportunities here, I knew I could make a meaningful impact. Today I have the privilege of protecting the critical systems that keep our trains, and when called upon, our nation’s troops moving.
How do your military skills or experiences help you succeed in your current role?
The military prepared me to lead under pressure, adapt quickly, and make critical decisions with confidence. Those skills directly apply to OT Cybersecurity, where challenges often come without warning, and the stakes are high. My experience has taught me to be strategic, decisive, and focused on building strong, trusted teams because teamwork is the difference between success and failure.
Cheldrick Reese
Management Trainee
Louisville, Kentucky
Joined NS in 2025
Branch of Service: U.S. Army & Army National Guard
Years of Service: 2010 – 2025
Highest Rank: SGT
Military Occupational Specialty: 92G – Culinary Specialist
What was your job in the military, in civilian-friendly terms?
I served primarily as a Cook. Attached to other units, I was able to learn other skills from various jobs in the military.
How did you get started at Norfolk Southern, and what drew you to the company?
Once I retired from the military in March 2025, a buddy of mine who I deployed with talked to me about a position with Norfolk Southern. We talked about the Management Trainee position in the transportation department. He explained that the position would be similar to my position in the Army.
Tell us about your current role at NS.
My current role with Norfolk Southern is as a Management Trainee. I am training to be a Terminal Supervisor or Road Manager. During the training process, I traveled to many locations to learn operational skills that will make me a valuable team member to my counterparts, the crew, and my division.
How do your military skills or experiences help you succeed in your current role?
Over my 15 years of service, the experiences allowed me to learn from my mistakes and become a better leader. From the combat environments to state-side missions, they have helped shape who I am today. The accomplishments and setbacks allow me to be an asset to the people I supervise daily. Being able to relate, build, and maintain a healthy work environment safely improves efficiency. Keeping focus on the overall goal.
Larry Sargent
Senior Terminal Manager
Buffalo, New York
Joined NS in 2006
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
Years of Service: 1986 – 2006
Highest Rank: SSG
Military Occupational Specialty: 31B
What was your job in the military, in civilian-friendly terms?
Military Police Officer
How did you get started at Norfolk Southern, and what drew you to the company?
I was getting close to retirement and knew that I was not interested in civilian law enforcement. I went on Military.com and searched for jobs where I found Norfolk Southern. I did some research on the job and benefits and liked what I saw. I applied and was hired as an Operations Supervisor Trainee.
Tell us about your current role at NS.
I oversee three supervisors and four yardmasters. I spend time with our crews making sure that they are performing their duties in a safe and efficient manner while complying with the rules. I also ensure our inbound trains are being switched in a timely manner to make it to our customers.
How do your military skills or experiences help you succeed in your current role?
The Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage go hand-in-hand with the SPIRIT values at NS. The military taught me to always do the right thing regardless of the challenges you may be facing. The same thing goes along with working for NS. Having dealt with a lot of people from various backgrounds in the military gives me the ability to relate to our employees on both personal and professional levels.
Wabtec
“At Wabtec Corporation, honoring veterans is a year-round commitment,” the company reported via LinkedIn on Veterans Day. “From hiring to community impact, we proudly support those who serve and celebrate the skillsets they bring to our team.”
As part of its social media post, Wabtec shared a specially produced video (above) that included team members Albert Park (Lead Project Management Specialist; U.S. Army), TJ Laws (Manufacturing Engineer; U.S. Navy), Jay Jones (Facility Engineer; U.S. Navy), Adam Franco (Director Product Development and Business Development; U.S. Marine Corps), Gina Trombley (EVP, Sales and Marketing and Chief Commercial Officer; U.S. Army), and Chad Gritten (EHS Fixed Facilities Leader; U.S. Army). The video also covered Wabtec employee participation in customer Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s Spin for a Veteran event on Oct. 4, which raised money and awareness for veterans experiencing homelessness, and Wabtec’s seventh annual veterans golf tournament on May 16 in Melbourne, Fla., which raised thousands for Vets4YouthSports, a nonprofit connecting veteran mentors with youth athletes.
Approximately 20% of the rail industry and about 8% of Wabtec’s workforce is made up of veterans, according to Wabtec, which noted that some 23% of its new salaried hires in 2025 came from military backgrounds.
Earlier this year, the company was recognized as a 4 Star Employer in the 2025 VETS Indexes Employer Awards.
“Wabtec Corporation has demonstrated exceptional support for veterans and the military-connected community, earning the organization one of the most prestigious awards possible in the VETS Indexes Employer Awards program,” VETS Indexes President George Altman said during the April announcement. “Even as more organizations than ever are recognizing the uniquely valuable skills that veterans bring as employees, the efforts of Wabtec Corporation to recruit, retain, develop, and support those who served, as well as their families, stand out from the pack. Wabtec Corporation is among the very best veteran employers, and its program can serve as a model for others.”
A record total of 349 organizations completed and submitted surveys for the VETS Indexes Employer Awards in 2025; those surveys covered employers’ policies, practices, and outcomes across veteran job candidate recruiting and hiring; veteran employee development and retention; veteran-inclusive policies and culture; support for members of the National Guard and Reserves; and military spouse/family support. Of those participants, VETS Indexes recognized 294 organizations, including companies large and small, government agencies and departments, nonprofit groups, colleges, and universities.
Further Reading:
- Wabtec 3Q25: ‘Continued Growth in Backlog, Sales, Margin and Earnings’
- Wabtec, Vale Partner to Test Ethanol Use in Locomotives
- Driving the Future of Rail: A Conversation With Wabtec’s Eric Gebhardt
BNSF
BNSF Division Trainmaster Ryan Hooper and Locomotive Engineer Jason Diefenbaugh are “walking the walk” when it comes to honoring veterans, according to the Class I railroad, which reported via social media that Hooper wanted to commemorate the Army’s 250th birthday, so he set out to hike about 150 miles earlier this year while Diefenbaugh participated in the 50-Mile March Foundation. BNSF Staff Writer Jeremiah Valentine provided the story on the BNSF website; Railway Age reproduces it in full below.
One step at a time, BNSF Division Trainmaster Ryan Hooper and Locomotive Engineer Jason Diefenbaugh have a passion for honoring veterans. To them, every step of every hike is a tribute to the sacrifices of the military community.
Hooper wanted to commemorate the Army’s 250th birthday, so he set out to hike 250 kilometers (about 150 miles) earlier this year while Diefenbaugh participated in the 50-Mile March Foundation. Both were in tribute or support of veterans.
Hooper has been with BNSF for 17 years. Prior to that, he served in the U.S. Army for 11 years, continuing a military tradition that runs deep in his family. His father was in the Navy during Vietnam, and both of his grandfathers served in World War II.
He served in the Army as a locomotive operator and a recruiter, and when he transitioned out of the Army, his experience with trains led him to BNSF.
“I definitely give credit to my Army training for helping me get my foot in the door,” Hooper said. “I started as a train conductor and switchman, but the Army gave me a chance to be a leader. I always loved leading troops, and I knew I wanted to do that when I left the service.”
Hooper, who works out of Minneapolis, continues to serve in another way, by volunteering to support veterans.
His wife is also a veteran working with the Minnesota Area Council for Veterans, a nonprofit that helps veterans find housing, job retraining programs and other essential services. He joins her frequently, volunteering any way he can. They both lost close friends in Iraq and donating their time is a way to honor loved ones and fellow service members.
This year, to commemorate the Army’s 250th birthday, Hooper set a goal to hike 250 kilometers. Though he didn’t quite reach 250, he did hike 200 kilometers over nine days, climbing 20,000 feet in elevation.
“This hike was a way for me to celebrate being part of something bigger,” he said.
In that same vein, Diefenbaugh, who is based out of Omaha, Nebraska, joined 165 hikers for a 50-mile march in August. Their walk honored veterans and raised awareness about the mental health challenges some face after service. He marched from Lincoln to Omaha, finishing in 22 hours. The participants raised $750,000 for the 50-Mile March Foundation.
He signed up for the march as a physical challenge. But then he started to reflect on his grandfather’s service in World War II and the mental health struggles he faced after returning home. That reflection gave the march a deeper meaning for Diefenbaugh.
The walk tested his endurance, but participants supported each other.
“If you think about the entire hike, it seems unbearable,” Diefenbaugh said. “But if you break it up and connect with others along the way, there is a better chance you can deal with it and finish. By the end of the march, everyone is suffering, but we all stomach it together.”
He also volunteers with Moving Veterans Forward, a nonprofit that works with the Veterans Administration in Omaha to support veterans in Nebraska and Iowa. The organization provides donated furnishings and appliances to help veterans settle into housing and work toward self-sufficiency.
To those who have served or those supporting those who do, BNSF thanks you.
“A big thank you to the World Leaders in Data and AI (WLDA) for honoring our CEO Katie Farmer with the AI Visionary CEO of the Year Award this past weekend in NYC!” BNSF reported Nov. 10 via social media. “The WLDA Awards Gala celebrates exceptional leadership and measurable progress in responsible innovation, inclusion, and impact across industries. We’re proud to be recognized for our efforts in AI over the past few years. We hold the most patents than any other Class I railroad and continue to innovate to improve safety and service, increasing our focus on data and AI to enhance operational efficiency. As we embark on our massive technology transformation with bnsf | tech, we will keep leaning into change while looking at the future of railroading for our employees and our customers.”
The AI Visionary CEO Award “celebrates a CEO who has made AI and data central to their organization’s growth and mission—demonstrating visionary leadership in digital reinvention and strategic innovation,” according to WLDA, which is described as a “premier forum for leadership in AI, uniting global executives and industry pioneers to shape a fair digital world through collaboration, knowledge exchange, and thought leadership in Data, Digital, and AI.“
Farmer was one of 11 WLDA award recipients. Others received the AI for Good Impact Award, Data and AI Luminary Award, Executive Ally Award, Rising Star in Data and AI Award, Responsible Tech Leader Award, Women Leader of the Year Award, Trailblazer in Responsible Data and AI Award, Tech Ally Award, Music Tech Innovation Award, and Distinguished Impact Award.
