WTS
WTS International on May 9 surprised WSP National Transit and Rail Market Leader Jannet Walker-Ford as the first recipient of a new award named in her honor.
The annual Jannet Walker-Ford Breaking Barriers Award “honors a WTS member who has overcome obstacles in their careers and eliminated barriers for others.”
“Jannet is widely recognized and respected for her personal devotion to connecting people, mentoring, elevating, recommending and supporting women in all roles, including attracting the next generation into STEAM and transportation related careers,” said WTS International President and CEO Sara Stickler. “She embodies what WTS strives for on behalf of its members, and it’s appropriate to continue recognizing her example and admirable service to our organization.”
Walker-Ford joined the organization in 2002, becoming its first black board chair in 2022 and leading the most diverse board in the organization’s history. She just completed her two-year term as chair for WTS and now serves as immediate past chair.
“I’m overwhelmed by this recognition and grateful to WTS and the women in transportation who came before me to make it possible,” Walker-Ford said. “They inspire our continued efforts to create and sustain a diverse and inclusive industry. I’m beyond proud to have this award named in my honor which will recognize the WTS members who continue to break barriers, take risks and lead with intention, empathy and perseverance to advance women and advance transportation.”
WSP also earned additional WTS honors recently.
Three local chapters of WTS International—Puget Sound Seattle; Portland, Oregon; and Greater New Orleans—recognized WSP as Employer of the Year. The Employer of the Year award recognizes member organizations for their “strong support of the goals and purpose of WTS.”
“WSP has built and maintains a very strong and active presence at both the local and international levels, offering memberships, sponsorships and continued support for participation by our employees who may one day become future leaders of WTS,” said Inez Evans, Senior Vice President and National Bus Practice Leader at WSP and incoming treasurer for WTS. “These awards are further affirmation of our firm’s foundational commitment to excellence and enduring support for advancing women into meaningful roles within the transportation sector.”
WTS New Orleans presented the Ray LaHood Man of the Year Award to Max Nassar, Senior Vice President and local business leader in WSP’s New Orleans office. The award recognizes Nassar as a transportation leader who has led by example in seeking opportunities to “advance and advocate for women and minorities at WSP and actively ensures they can compete for key positions within the organization.”
The Oregon Department of Transportation received WTS Portland’s Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award. The award recognized ODOT and WSP for collaboration on the Oregon Toll Program’s Equity and Mobility Advisory Committee.
NS
Richard Scott, a 26-year employee of NS, has been selected for the 2024 Employee Veteran Leadership Awards presented by Military Friendly, the Class I recently announced. The awards recognize veterans who have “a positive impact on their organizations.” Honorees will be featured in the June issue of G.I. Jobs magazine.
Scott serves as chairman of the VeteraNS Employee Resource Group (ERG), an all-volunteer organization that advocates for NS military reservists, veterans, military families, and other employees. The ERG, the Class I says, “promotes communication and education on military and veteran related topics and conducts outreach with military and veteran organizations in the numerous communities were NS conducts operations.”
“Richard is highly respected as both a champion of our veterans as well as a servant leader who ensures excellence in our railroad,” said NS VP of Engineering Ed Boyle. “He selflessly volunteers his time and talents to make Norfolk Southern an employer of choice for our service men and women.”
From 1990-95, Scott was enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a Lance Corporal. He served in Operation Desert Storm/Shield, where he supported the largest ammunition dump from the Persian Gulf to the United States. Scott and his team were responsible for moving more ammunition than Vietnam and Korea combined, in record time and with no casualties. Scott is a third-generation service member.
Following his service, Scott Joined NS as a crew dispatcher in 1998 after graduating from Concord University in West Virginia. He is now responsible for the Engineering Vehicle Fleet and Administration Team.
“I would like to thank Richard for making NS into a place where there is a sense of belonging for veterans,” said Christine Traubel, AVP Human Resources. “As a strategic and inclusive partner in Norfolk Southern’s DEI efforts, Richard demonstrates how investing in our teammates will help us win.”
