Read More About the RFC Presenters

In order of appearance on the agenda.

Welcome/MC

Loni Martz Briner
PR & Media Manager
North Shore Railroad Co. & Affiliates (and KSRRA President)

Loni is a graduate of Susquehanna University, with a degree in Communications. She is a mother of two, a published author, the Public Relations and Media Manager for North Shore Railroad Company (NSHR), and an entrepreneur, having established her own marketing and social media firm in 2024 - 2C5, LLC. Loni has worked for NSHR for 17 years. During her tenure at NSHR, Loni has been instrumental in assisting with administration and corporate legal matters.

Loni also plays an active role volunteering for multiple non-profits, including private/Christian schools, churches, community organizations, railroad associations, chambers of commerce, and more. She chairs the board of a radio station, and has chaired several other boards - with the latest being the Keystone State Railroad Association.

Educating for the Future of Rail

Steve Dillen
Program Coordinator and Associate Teaching Professor
Penn State Altoona

His research areas include: Power Electronics, Traction Motors, Vibrational Analysis, and Signals. Steve has the following degrees: ME, Electrical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University; BS, Electrical Engineering Technology, The Pennsylvania State University; and AAS, Forest Technology, Williamsport Area Community College.

Dr. Hai Huang
Director and Professor of Rail Transportation
Penn State Altoona

Dr. Hai Huang is a professor and a founding faculty member of the United States' first ABET-accredited Rail Transportation Engineering program at Penn State Altoona. He also serves as a graduate faculty member in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Penn State University, University Park.

Dr. Huang earned his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2010. His expertise lies in rail transportation infrastructure health evaluation, monitoring, and prediction. He is particularly recognized for his work in sensor technology and advanced computing, integrating cyber-physical data fusion for infrastructure assessment.

Since joining Penn State, Dr. Huang has led and contributed to research projects totaling over $10 million as both a Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-PI. His projects include the development of “SmartRock” for ballast applications and the newly awarded FRA CRISI-funded University Transportation Center, Rail CREST (Rail Center for Research Enhancing Short-line Transportation). He has published over 100 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers and has delivered numerous keynote presentations at national and international conferences.

Dr. Huang is a former Chair of the ASCE Rail Transportation Committee (RTC) and remains an active member of several professional organizations and international research collaborations.

Federal Railroad Administration Railroad Safety & Regulations Panel

Jim Cassatt - MODERATOR
Railroad Safety Specialist/Chief Inspector
Federal Railroad Administration

Jim began his railroad carrier with Conrail in Enola, PA, working as an Electrician at the locomotive shop before promoting to Train Dispatcher for the Harrisburg Division. After the division was consolidated, Jim worked as a yardmaster in Lancaster and Reading, PA. On June 1, 1999, after “split date”. Jim went back to Train Dispachting with Norfolk Southern until he left to join the FRA in 2001. He started as an Operating Practices Inspector in Philadelphia, PA, then later transferred to the to the Toledo, OH, territory. In 2016, Jim was detailed to the Federal Transit Administration for the WMATA oversight, concentrating on the dispatching operations. During the detail, he was promoted to Chief Inspector for SMT-2 covering OH, PA, WV, VA, MD, DE, MI, and KY, auditing 219/225 on Class II and Class III railroads.

Tim Ryan, District 2, Track Specialist, FRA

Tim began his career in the railroad industry with Conrail Shared Assets in Camden, NJ. He started as a Trackman and subsequently held various positions, including I&R Inspector and Maintenance Foreman. Throughout his career, he moved back and forth between Philadelphia, PA, and Camden, NJ. Eventually, he was promoted to Track Supervisor in Camden, NJ, responsible for the Track department in South Jersey. Tim left Conrail in late 2018 to join FRA as a Track Safety Inspector in Philadelphia, PA, covering Southeast PA and the Delmarva Peninsula. In 2023, Tim was promoted to Track Safety Specialist for District 2 and is currently in that position covering OH, PA, WV, VA, MD, and DE.

John Johnson, Railroad Safety Inspector (HM), FRA

Mikel Cipollini, SMT-2 Deputy Railroad Administrator- Short Lines East (Track), FRA

Seth Lasure
Supervisory Railroad Safety Specialist (District 2)
Federal Railroad Administration

Seth works for the Hazardous Materials Division (RRS-43) of the FRA’s Office of Railroad Infrastructure and Mechanical.

He began his railroad career with CSX Transportation in Newell, PA, working as a Freight Conductor. He later took a position with Watco Companies at a tank car facility in Hollidaysburg, PA working as an Incoming Inspector. After there was a merger between Greenbrier and Watco (GBW Railcar Services, LLC), he promoted into the position of Quality Assurance Manager. He later took a position with the Bureau of Explosives under the Transportation Technology Center, Inc. out of Pueblo, CO working as a Field Auditor/Inspector.  He started with the FRA as a HazMat Inspector out of District 2 covering the Eastern MD, Eastern PA, and DE territory.  At the beginning of 2025, he was promoted to the position of Supervisory Railroad Safety Specialist (HM) for District 2.

Jordan Gibson - JOINING VIRTUALLY
Operating Practices Specialist – District 2
Federal Railroad Administration

Jordan began his railroad carrier with CSX in Willard, OH, working as an RCO Operator/Freight Conductor before promoting to Trainmaster. As a Trainmaster he worked terminal positions at Columbus Intermodal, Marysville Honda, and a line of road position covering the Scottslawn Secondary from Ridgeway, OH, into Columbus, OH. Jordan left CSX in 2015 to join the FRA, where he started as an Operating Practices Inspector in Fresno, CA. He later transferred to the Cincinnati, OH, territory, and again to the Toledo, OH, territory where Jordan finally had made my way back home. In 2023, he was promoted to Operating Practices Specialist for District 2 and is currently in that position covering OH, PA, WV, VA, MD, and DE.

Kevin Lewis - JOINING VIRTUALLY
Program Manager - Certification 240/242
Federal Railroad Administration

Kevin Lewis currently serves as the Program Manager for Engineer and Conductor Certification at FRA, overseeing the national implementation and compliance of 49 CFR Parts 240 and 242. Kevin has a career spanning over 38 years in the railroad industry, with 20 of those years within the FRA. Kevin brings deep regulatory expertise and practical field experience to his role, from his early days as an engineer and conductor on shortline railroads to operating passenger trains on Amtrak from Kansas City to Chicago. His regulatory career began with the Missouri rail safety program manager, through his tenure as an FRA Operating Practices Inspector, Chief Inspector, and currently as the Program Manager for Engineer and Conductor Certification, overseeing programs for more than 780 railroads across the nation. Kevin has built a reputation as a subject matter expert in certification. His leadership in shaping agency protocols, managing high-profile audits, and advising on OCRB matters has made him a trusted voice in both government and industry circles. Kevin remains focused on advancing certification standards that are practical, enforceable, and built around real-world railroad operations.

Lance Hawks - JOINING VIRTUALLY
Safety Partnership Division- Part 243, C3RS, Fames
Federal Railroad Administration

With nearly 30 years of experience in the railroad industry, Lance Hawks brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the field of rail safety and infrastructure. He spent a decade with Union Pacific Railroad, serving in various roles within the Maintenance of Way department - progressing from laborer to Track Supervisor and gaining hands-on experience in several intermediate positions along the way. Following his time with UP, Lance served as a Track Inspector for the State of California, further honing his expertise in track safety and regulatory compliance. For the past 17 years, he has been a key contributor at the FRA, where he has held multiple roles including Track Inspector, Region 3 (R3) Track Specialist, and Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) Subject Matter Expert. Currently, Lance serves as the Subject Matter Expert for the 49 CFR Part 243 training regulations within the FRA’s Safety Partnerships Division. His deep industry experience and regulatory insight make him a trusted asset in rail safety and workforce development.

Kurt Erickson - JOINING VIRTUALLY
Rail Safety Specialist – 240 & 242 Certification
Federal Railroad Administration

With a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Psychology, Kurt brings a unique perspective to railroad safety and compliance. His rail career began in 1998 with Union Pacific in Clinton, Iowa, where he worked as a brakeman, switchman, locomotive engineer, and eventually Manager of Operating Practices. He later served as Vice President of Safety and Compliance for Genesee and Wyoming’s Mountain West region and as the region's Designated Employee Representative.

In 2018, He joined the Federal Railroad Administration as an Operating Practices Inspector, focusing primarily on the Northeast Corridor in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. areas. Kurt relocated to Chicago in 2021 and transitioned into his current role in certification in 2023.

Outside work, Kurt has been happily married for 40 years and enjoys spending time with my three children and eight grandchildren.

Bryan Hill - JOINING VIRTUALLY
District 2, Motive Power & Equipment Safety Inspector
Federal Railroad Administration

Bryan started his career with CSX, in 2011, as a Machinist at Nashville Locomotive Shop. He worked there until July 2017, when he was furloughed. Bryan then started as a Roadway Mechanic in August 2017, and worked until July 2018. He went back to the locomotive shop in July 2018, and worked at the Nashville Locomotive shop from July 2018, until March 31 2019. In April 2019, Bryan started working at the FRA as MP&E Safety Inspector until present time. He is also part of the forensics team and has worked with NTSB on multiple investigations.

Bill Waters, District 2, Motive Power & Equipment Safety Inspector, Federal Railroad Administration (virtual)

Rail in Legislation Today

Mike Long, Executive Director, KSRRA 

It is indisputable that no other non-elected Pennsylvanian has done more to shape the modern Pennsylvania political landscape than Mike Long. For 25 years, Mike served as the Chief of Staff/Staff Administrator to the Pennsylvania State Senate, which is the only staff position enumerated in Pennsylvania statute.

As a founding partner of the firm, Mike has played a role in nearly every consequential policy decision of Pennsylvania State Government in the past 35 years. He was named to the “City & State PA Power 100” list of the 100 most powerful people in Pennsylvania.

Mike earned a BA in Political Science from Millersville University and a MS in Public Administration from Shippensburg University. He enjoys collecting baseball memorabilia and reading non-fiction books. He is married to Amy with four adult children and three grandchildren and lives in Lebanon County.

Crystal Gitchell, MPP
AVP, Legislative & Regulatory
ASLRRA

Crystal Gitchell is the Assistant Vice President of Legislative and Regulatory Policy for the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association. In her current position, Ms. Gitchell works with Federal Agencies, Congressional offices and state legislatures to advance issues important to short line railroads, like securing grant funding and promoting environmentally friendly business practices. Prior to this role, Ms. Gitchell worked in legislative affairs for the trucking and manufacturing industries. Ms. Gitchell received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from George Mason University. She is a Virginia native, mother and equestrian sport enthusiast.

PA State Rail Grant Programs Best Practices

Angela Watson
Bureau Director
PennDOT Bureau of Rail, Freight, Ports, and Waterways

Angela Watson has over 25 years of experience working in the transportation industry. She has worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) for 20 years in various roles including Director for the Bureau of Rail Freight, Ports and Waterways, Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary for Multimodal Transportation and Transportation Planning Specialist Supervisor. As Bureau Director, she is currently responsible for oversight of the freight rail, passenger rail, and ports programs, advancing multimodal policies, overseeing various multimodal planning studies and managing passenger rail capital projects from planning through construction. Angela previously worked with the City of Harrisburg in community planning and in the private sector as a senior transportation planning consultant.  

Angela received her Bachelor of Science in Geography with a concentration in Urban and Regional Development from Penn State University, and her Master of Science degree in Community and Regional Planning from Temple University. Angela is a member of the American Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Steve Panko, Transportation Planning Manager, PennDOT Bureau of Rail, Freight, Ports, and Waterways

Harrison Warren, Transportation Planning Specialist, PennDOT Bureau of Rail, Freight, Ports, and Waterways

Kyle Daugherty, Public Transportation Analyst Trainee, PennDOT Bureau of Rail, Freight, Ports, and Waterways

Presentation of the Keystone Rail Freight Lifetime Achievement Awards

Kim Smith, Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Company (retired) and
Craig Staudenmaier, Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & Furman, PC (retired)

Emergency Response, The First Hours: Lessons from Paulsboro, NJ

Jon Broder
Retired (CLO and VP)
Conrail

Jonathan Broder is the former Chief Legal Officer and Vice President of Development of Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail). Jon began his legal career as a litigation associate at the law firm of Pepper, Hamilton and Scheetz, and joined Conrail’s law department as commerce counsel in 1988. For the next 10 years, he worked on a numerous cases before the Interstate Commerce Commission and in the federal courts, represented Conrail’s marketing department as transaction counsel, and worked on a number of major transactions including the creation of the Highline Park in New York City as well as the Conrail transaction that led to the acquisition and split up of Conrail. Jon stayed on at Conrail after its “split” in 1999, becoming General Counsel in 2000, and then assumed responsibility for Conrail’s real estate, business development, risk management, government and public affairs, and governance functions as corporate secretary. He retired in 2019.

Jon graduated from Oberlin College in 1980, and Temple University School of Law in 1983. He has been an adjunct professor of law at Temple since 2011, teaching classes on the role of in-house counsel, administrative law, contract negotiations, and a new business law course on the “Wreck of the Penn Central”. He is currently co-authoring a history of Conrail for Indiana University Press. Jon is also the Congregation President of Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia.

Disclaimer: Mr. Broder is speaking only on behalf of himself and does not speak for Conrail, CSX, nor Norfolk Southern.

Railroad Trespassing: A Philadelphia Story

Bill Goetz, Retired (Resident Vice President), CSX

William Goetz’s 38-year career was centered in the freight railroad industry.

His retirement from CSX Transportation, Inc. in 2015 concluded ten years as Resident Vice President in New York City, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. He developed public-private partnerships, fostered new ways for industrial and residential land uses to co-exist, and specialized in resolving complicated disputes not easily resolved in the courts.

Goetz played a key role in the 1998 railroad merger of the three largest railroads in the eastern United States. Early in his career he was a strong proponent for the deregulation of the freight railroad industry. From the Interstate Commerce Commission, he successfully obtained the industry’s first broad exemption from federal economic regulation.

Goetz presented testimony before the United States Surface Transportation Commission and a committee of the United States House of Representatives. He testified several times before committees of the New Jersey State Assembly and Senate as well as Philadelphia City Council. He was a member of advisory bodies dealing with the port of New York and New Jersey and New York City’s readiness for climate change. He was a guest lecturer at New York University, Rutgers University, and Temple University. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission named Goetz to its Hall of Fame.

Goetz graduated first in his class from the Boston University School of Management. While a college undergraduate he was an intern for Senator John Parker, minority leader of the Massachusetts State Senate. He has a master’s degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

He and his wife Susan Goetz divide their time between homes in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and New York City. They have two adult children.

Benjamin C. Dunlap, Jr., Esq.
Partner
Cohen Seglias

Ben brings considerable experience to his practice, concentrating in business and employment law for companies ranging in size from startups to major national corporations. He works with for-profit and nonprofit businesses as well as public utilities such as railroads. Ben’s approach with his business clients is to think through the best course to achieve his client’s goals, within the law.  When disputes arise, his efforts are centered on resolving matters in the most effective manner possible in the client’s interest.

Ben has handled matters involving employment, termination, and non-compete/non-disclosure agreements as well as litigation arising from such agreements. He has handled employment discrimination claims before the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Ben has helped businesses with LLC formation and operating agreement drafting. He has drafted independent contractor agreements and assisted in formulating compliance guidelines for businesses, including HR issues. Ben has assisted businesses with contract reviews of all types, especially software and technology contracts. He has also done work involving intellectual property rights, including trademark applications and renewals, as well as copyright consultation.

Ben’s railroad clients consist of Class I and short line railroads facing public crossings and other matters before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. These cases frequently involve large amounts of money with the opportunity for significant cost savings by the railroad. Such cases often entail related contractual and property matters that are litigated in state and federal courts, including operating agreement disputes. Ben also handles general corporate and employment matters for the firm’s short line clients.

PA Rail Engineering and Construction Practices

Nevin Myers, Chief Railroad Engineer, PennDOT Bureau of Rail, Freight, Ports, and Waterways

Andrew Plattner, Rail Freight Project Manager, PennDOT Bureau of Rail, Freight, Ports, and Waterways

Brad Parrish, Rail Freight Project Manager, PennDOT Bureau of Rail, Freight, Ports, and Waterways

Federal Rail Grant Programs Best Practices

Catherine (Cat) Dobbs, JD
Senior Project Manager
HDR

Ms. Dobbs is a Senior Project Manager and federal project strategist with HDR’s Freight Rail group, offering expertise in federal rail partnerships and USDOT grant programs. She has 17 years’ experience in infrastructure development, having spent nearly 12 years with the US Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration. Cat maintains expertise in active federal grant programs for rail investment, including Fed-State Partnership, RCE, CRISI, and BUILD, in addition to environmental evaluation processes for rail projects. Cat is a project management professional and works with a wide variety of industry stakeholders including short lines and Class I railroads, providing guidance on project development and federal partnership opportunities, maintaining excellent working knowledge of federal granting regulations, policies, and practices. She also provides specialized consulting services for the development and successful delivery of planning, environmental and grant documentation and compliance meeting FRA regulatory standards and practices.