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In honor of those who have served the rail shipping community through commitment, leadership and vision

NARS Annual Awards

NARS recognizes exemplary leadership in the rail shipping community through two annual award opportunities — the NARS Person of the Year Award and the Edward R. Hamberger Lifetime Achievement Award.

 


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2024 Award Winners

Linda Turner, SWARS: NARS Edward R. Hamberger Lifetime Achievement Award

Martin Oberman, Chairman, Surface Transportation Board, NARS Edward R. Hamberger Lifetime Achievement Award

NARS Person of the Year Award


The North American Rail Shippers Association, if approved by the Awards Committee, has the option to present an award for outstanding contributions to NARS AND its Regional Association(s) during the past one to two years. The award will be presented at the next Annual Meeting for the year in which award is given.

Person of the Year Award Criteria

Previous Persons of the Year

  • 1997 – Mike Taber, SWARS
  • 1998 – Archie Brown, PNWARS
  • 1999 – Ray Sanford, PNWARS
  • 2000 – Ivan Olson, PNWARS
  • 2001 – William R. Schauer, MARS
  • 2002 - Paige Prendergast, SWARS
  • 2003 – William (Rick) Franks, SEARS
  • 2004 – Joe Mitchem, SEARS
  • 2005 – Linda Turner, SWARS
  • 2006 – Bill Donovan, NEARS
  • 2007 – David Hargrave, SWARS
  • 2008 – Tom Head, MARS
  • 2009 – Steve Ferree, SEARS
  • 2010 – Jennifer Krueger, PNWARS
  • 2011 – George Macko, MARS
  • 2012 – William R. Schauer, MARS
  • 2013 – Richard Dodd, SWARS
  • 2014 - Janet Gilbert, MARS
  • 2015 - E. Leo Mountjoy, SWARS
  • 2016 - Glen Courtwright, SEARS
  • 2017 - Linda Turner, SWARS
  • 2018 - Rick Grossman, MARS
  • 2019 - Tony Hatch, NEARS
  • 2020 - Bruce Mann, SWARS
  • 2021 - Craig Longardner, MARS
  • 2022 - Tom Tisa, NARS
  • 2023 - Tracy Stein, NARS

NARS Lifetime Achievement Award

The North American Rail Shippers Association will present an award for outstanding contributions to the NARS organization during one’s career in the Transportation Industry. The award will be presented only when a person has retired (or retirement announced) from the industry. It is not intended to be an annual award, and shall be awarded as/when approved by the Board of Directors. More than one NARS Lifetime Achievement Award may be awarded in a given year, if deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.

Lifetime Achievement Award Criteria

Edward R. Hamberger Lifetime Achievement Awards

  • 2006 – Ken Enzor, NEARS
  • 2007 – Bernard Thomas, MARS
  • 2007 - Jack Dail, SWARS
  • 2008 – George Elking, SWARS
  • 2008 – Ivan Olson, PNWARS
  • 2009 – No Award
  • 2010 – Rick Franks, SEARS
  • 2011 – Mark Bradshaw, SEARS
  • 2012 – Joseph Gearin, NEARS
  • 2013 – No Award
  • 2014 - Patrick Walsh, SWARS
  • 2015 - E. Leo Mountjoy, SWARS
  • 2016 - Glen Courtwright, SEARS
  • 2017 - Dave Garin, SWARS
  • 2018 - Bill Schauer, MARS
  • 2019 - Edward R. Hamberger, NARS
  • 2019 - Alan Roach, SWARS
  • 2020- Richard Dodd, SWARS
  • 2021 - Dana Burleigh, NEARS
  • 2021 - Jeff Usher, NARS
  • 2022 - Susan Cox, SWARS
  • 2023 - Patrick J. Ottensmeyer, NARS
  • 2024 - Linda Turner, SWARS
  • 2024 Martin Oberman, STB
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