Northeast Association of Rail Shippers

PITTSBURGH, PA

FALL 2026 CONFERENCE AGENDA

October 7โ€“9, 2026

Wednesday, October 7th

Registration โ€ข Networking โ€ข TopGolf โ€ข Pittsburgh โ€ข Speakeasy

2:00 PM
Conference Registration Opens
Registration Desk Sponsored by The Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Company
4:00 PM
The Joseph & Eileen Gearin Networking Reception
Sponsored by American Truck and Rail Audits, Inc.
Evening Options
5:30 PM
Special Event
NEARS TopGolf Event!
400 Presto-Sygan Rd, Bridgeville, PA 15017
Please arrive by 6:00 PM
OR
Dinner on Your Own in Fabulous Pittsburgh
8:00 PM
NEARS Speakeasy Hospitality Lounge Opens

Thursday, October 8th

Industry Insight โ€ข Rail Leadership โ€ข Networking โ€ข Shippers Forum

7:00 AM
Breakfast Starts
Available until 8:15 AM
Sponsored by The Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Company
7:30 AM
Conference Registration Re-Opens
Registration Desk Sponsored by The Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Company
8:00 AM
Welcome to NEARS, Safety Briefing & Housekeeping
8:10 AM
Recognition
NEARS Hall of Fame Awards
8:30 AM
Featured Session
The State of Transportation
Michael Rutherford
Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation
Moderator: Jason Seidl, Managing Director Industrials, TD Cowen
9:30 AM
Railroad Leadership
Union Pacific Update and Fireside Chat with Kenny Rocker
Kenny Rocker
Executive Vice President Marketing & Sales, Union Pacific
Moderator: Dennis Wilmot, President, Iron Horse Logistics Group
10:30 AM
Networking Break
Sponsored by Knichel Logistics
11:00 AM
Industry Outlook
How We Overcome Rail Challenges in 2027 and Beyond
Farrukh A. Bezar
Managing Partner, Lynwood Partners, LLC
Moderator: Jason Seidl, Managing Director Industrials, TD Cowen
NOON
Networking
NEARS Networking Lunch and Vendor Fair
Lunch Sponsored by TrinityRail
1:30 PM
Special Presentation
Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of America โ€” The Union Pacific Steam Team
Ed Dickens
Senior Manager, Union Pacific Heritage Operations, Union Pacific
Kirt Clark
Engineer, Heritage Fleet, Union Pacific
Introduction: Michael Koehler, Director Marketing & Sales, Union Pacific
Moderator: Dennis Wilmot, President, Iron Horse Logistics Group
2:30 PM
NEARS Favorite
The Much Anticipated and Always Informative Tony and Jason Show
Tony Hatch
Principal, ABH Consulting
Jason Seidl
Managing Director, TD Cowen
Moderator: John Meyers, Director of Sales, D.M. Bowman
3:30 PM
Networking Break
Sponsored by Knichel Logistics
3:45 PM
RAIL SHIPPERS ONLY
Shippers Forum Breakout
Bringing Shippers Together for Important Discussions and Snacks
3rd Floor โ€“ Crawford Room
Moderator: Dennis Wilmot, President, Iron Horse Logistics Group
Moderator: Scott McCalla, Executive Director, NEARS
Thursday Evening
5:00 PM
The Joseph & Eileen Gearin Networking Reception
Sponsored by American Truck and Rail Audits, Inc.
6:00 PM
NEARS Scholarship Raffle Drawing
Sponsored by U.S. Bank
6:30 PM
Dinner on Your Own in Fabulous Pittsburgh
8:00 PM
NEARS Speakeasy Hospitality Lounge Opens

Friday, October 9th

Railroad Perspective โ€ข Energy โ€ข Shipper Success โ€ข Closing

7:30 AM
Networking Breakfast Starts
Available until 8:15 AM
Sponsored by The Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Company
8:00 AM
Opening / Announcements
8:15 AM
Railroad Leadership
An Hour with a Railroad Legend โ€” Transportation Perspectives and Prognostication
Henry Posner III
Chairman, Railroad Development Corporation
Dennis Wilmot
President, Iron Horse Logistics Group
9:15 AM
Rail Energy
Rail Energy โ€” Keeping Us Powered with Natural Gas
Representative from EQT Corporation
Moderator: Thomas Coleman, Business Development, Northeast Freight Transfer
10:15 AM
Local Success Story
Growing Strong Sustainable Farms and Thriving Communities
Cyrus Robinson
Special Project Manager, Kreamer Feeds
Moderator: Joseph Kantz, Business & Development Manager, North Shore Railroad Co.
11:00 AM
Closing Remarks and William J. Donovan Memorial Drawing

JOIN US IN PITTSBURGH

October 7โ€“9, 2026

Three days of education, industry insight, networking and rail community.

REGISTER AT NEARS.ORG
ADDITIONAL EVENTS

NEARS Fall Conference 2026

The Northeast's Premier Transportation & Logistics Conference

Join transportation executives, shippers, railroads, motor carriers, logistics providers, attorneys, consultants, and technology leaders for three days of education, networking, and business development opportunities.

October 7โ€“9, 2026 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

REGISTER NOW BOOK HOTEL
NEARS Fall Conference Pittsburgh

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Secure your spot for one of North America's most respected transportation conferences. Connect with industry leaders, gain valuable insights, and build relationships that drive business growth.

Why Attend NEARS?

Learn

Gain practical insights from industry experts covering freight transportation, rail, intermodal, supply chain strategy, artificial intelligence, cargo security, economics, and regulatory affairs.

Connect

Meet transportation executives, shippers, railroads, logistics providers, attorneys, consultants, technology companies, and decision makers from across the industry.

Grow

Discover new business opportunities, strengthen industry relationships, and leave with actionable solutions that create value for your organization.

Conference Highlights

Industry Experts

Hear from transportation leaders shaping the future of freight and supply chain management.

Executive Networking

Build relationships with decision makers from across the transportation ecosystem.

Technology & Innovation

Explore AI, automation, cybersecurity, analytics, and transportation technology.

Business Development

Create new opportunities and strengthen strategic partnerships.

NEARS FRIENDS & FAMILY EVENT

Babushkas & Hard Hats

Experience Pittsburgh's Steel Story

Thursday, October 8, 2026 | NEARS Fall Conference

As part of the NEARS Fall Conference, attendees, spouses, family members, and guests are invited to join an exclusive Pittsburgh experience showcasing the history, culture, and communities that helped build one of America's most important industrial cities.

The Babushkas & Hard Hats tour brings Pittsburgh's steel heritage to life through guided visits to iconic Rivers of Steel destinations, including the historic Bost Building, the legendary Carrie Blast Furnaces, and the Pump House.

Guests will also enjoy an authentic immigrant-inspired lunch featuring Pittsburgh favorites including pierogies, halushki, stuffed cabbage, and traditional desserts that celebrate the cultures and families who shaped the region's steel communities.

Historic Tours

Explore Pittsburgh's legendary steelmaking sites and learn the stories behind America's industrial growth.

Local Cuisine

Enjoy a lunch inspired by the immigrant communities that built Pittsburgh's steel heritage.

Friends & Family

Perfect for spouses, guests, and attendees looking to experience Pittsburgh beyond the conference room.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026

Who Can Attend: Conference attendees, spouses, family members, and guests

Registration: Available as an optional add-on during conference registration

Qualified Shippers Attend for Only $199

Connect directly with carriers, railroads, logistics providers, and transportation experts while gaining valuable market intelligence and industry contacts.

LEARN MORE

Who Attends?

โœ“ Shippers
โœ“ Railroads
โœ“ Motor Carriers
โœ“ Logistics Providers
โœ“ Freight Brokers
โœ“ Ports & Intermodal Operators
โœ“ Transportation Attorneys
โœ“ Insurance Providers
โœ“ Technology Companies
โœ“ Consultants
โœ“ Government Agencies
โœ“ Industry Associations

See You In Pittsburgh

October 7โ€“9, 2026

Three days of transportation education, networking, innovation, and business development opportunities.

REGISTER NOW BOOK HOTEL
NEARS Fall Conference Special Event

NEARS TopGolf Pittsburgh

Swing into the conference with an evening of networking, friendly competition and fun.

Date Wednesday
October 7, 2026
Start Time 6:00 PM
Location TopGolf Pittsburgh
400 Presto-Sygan Road
Bridgeville, PA 15017
Fun โ˜… Networking โ˜… Prizes โ˜… Surprises

Early Registration Gift

The first 30 golfers who register will receive a $25 Uber gift card to help with transportation.

Individual Registration $150 Per person
Foursome Special $500 Save $100 when registering four golfers
Transportation Notice: TopGolf Pittsburgh is approximately 14 miles from the conference hotel. NEARS transportation will not be provided. Attendees are responsible for arranging their own transportation.
Register for Pittsburgh

Space and Uber gift cards are limited. Register early to secure your spot.

LIMITED-TIME OFFER
SHIPPERS ATTEND FOR ONLY $199
Qualified Shippers Receive Exclusive NEARS Conference Pricing
SEE IF YOU QUALIFY โ†’
Our Board of directors

Our BOD represents all aspects of the shipping community.  As we are a shippers organization, our bylaws restrict railroad employees from becoming officers.

Carl Citelle
Past President
Carl Citelli 


Mark Ritchey
President
Mark Ritchey

Curry Rail Services

Rob Pisani
1st VP
Rob Pisani

CIT

thomas
2nd VP
Thomas Coleman

Shale Rail/NEFT

Scott McCalla
Executive Director
Scott McCalla
Board Members:

Amanda Barber -  NS

Mike Barbato  - Retired

Robert Barnet -  BNSF

Don Cameron -  Retired

Michael Clements  - CSX

Jesse Fetters  - Carboline

Paul Grosche  - AMTR

Todd Hunter  -  NorthShore

Joe Kenny  - Keystone RR

Mike Koehler -  UP

Jay Medlin  - Compass Rail

John Meyers  - D.M. Bowman

Stacy Ossenfort -  Railstrong

Roger Reynolds  -  OMYA

Jason Seidl  - TD Cowen

Vikki Van Vliet  - US Bank

Dennis Wilmot - Iron Horse Logistics

2023-2025        Carl Citelli

2022 - 2023      Erica Breiterman

2020 โ€“ 2021      Dennis Wilmot 

2018 - 2019       Jason Seidl

2016 - 2017      Don Cameron 

2014 - 2015      John Meyers 

2012 - 2013      Scott McCalla 

2010 - 2011      Dana Burleigh 

2008 - 2009      Tammy Baker-Silver 

2006 - 2007      Gerald Racette 

2004 - 2005      Diane El-Hakim 

2002 - 2003      Michael Cella 

2000 - 2001      Kathy Dalrymple 

1998 - 1999      Paula Mehan 

1996 - 1997      Michael Calabucci 

1994 - 1995      Joe Gearin 

1992 โ€“ 1993      Brenda Horne 

1990 - 1991      Joe Gearin 

1988 - 1989      Kenneth Enzor 

1986 โ€“ 1987      Ruth Gale 

1984 โ€“ 1985      Kenneth Enzor 

1982 โ€“ 1983      Ken Bowers 

1980 โ€“ 1981      Gene Bernard

2017 โ€“ Present                                       Scott McCalla

ยท       2004 โ€“ 2016                                             Joe Gearin

ยท       1986 โ€“ 2003                                             William Donovan

ยท       1980 โ€“ 1985                                             John Morton

NEARS Mission
Bringing together buyers and sellers of rail transportation to improve efficiency, communication, and the future of freight rail.
  • Promote efficient freight handling across shippers, receivers, and railroads
  • Foster open discussion on car supply, service, and practices
  • Advance new rail transportation methods and techniques
  • Represent shipper perspectives to key industry and regulatory bodies
  • Address economic, legislative, environmental, and safety impacts