The Holden-Proefrock Award is named in honor of Roy Holden, a former AAR employee and an innovator in tank car design, damage assessment, and safety, as well as Art Proefrock, a former Hulcher Emergency Services employee who pioneered hazardous materials transportation emergency response, according to the Association.
Over McNealy’s four-decade-long career, he has risen from the diesel shop to senior leadership at Kansas City Southern Railway (now Canadian Pacific Kansas City, following KCS’ 2023 merger with Canadian Pacific), and his tenure “has been characterized by a drive for innovation, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to safety,” AAR said.
McNealy’s accomplishments include “enhancing risk assessment frameworks to hazmat shipments and leveraging GIS mapping to strengthen emergency preparedness and response,” AAR reported. Additionally, he has helped shape industry standards through his work with the AAR Tank Car Committee, Hazardous Materials Committee, and TRANSCAER, leveraging his experience at KCS.
McNealy played “a pivotal role in enhancing first responder training in both the U.S. and Mexico,” AAR said, and this commitment “is evident in his long-standing partnership with the Louisiana State Police Hazmat Team and his instrumental role in developing the Joint Emergency Services Training Center in Zachary, La.” McNealy also contributed to the Mississippi Fire Academy and the Security and Emergency Response Training Center in Pueblo, Colo., donating equipment and expertise to elevate national preparedness.
