Professional Expertise

 

Wayne E. Russell

Principal

 

Mr. Russell’s railroad career began in 1964, as a chainman for the Santa Fe Railway.  During the next several years he worked as a field engineer and continued his engineering studies, to receive his B.S. degree in Civil Design.  Mr. Russell entered Santa Fe’s Management Training Program, and upon successful completion, held the position of Roadmaster at various locations throughout the Midwest. 

 

Mr. Russell was appointed Division Engineer in 1975, and held positions as District Engineer, Assistant General Manager-Maintenance-Eastern Lines, System Director of Roadway Maintenance Support, General Director of System Planning and General Director of Field Operations-System, until the merger of the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe in 1995.  To supplement his professional growth, he completed graduate coursework at the University of Southern California and Northwestern University.

 

After the merger of Burlington Northern and Santa Fe, Mr. Russell worked as Assistant Vice President of Maintenance until his retirement in February 1999.  After retirement, Mr. Russell performed consulting work for several engineering firms and suppliers in both the U.S. and Mexico.

 

In July 2000, Mr. Russell was approached with an offer to join one of his clients, the Florida East Coast Railway.  Knowing that he could make a real difference, he accepted the position as Vice President and Chief Engineer.  While at FEC, he and his team helped transform the promising railroad into a first-rate operation.  The railway changed ownership in 2007 and Mr. Russell has chosen to continue the consulting work he enjoyed years earlier.