NRC and REMSA member company Omaha Track hosted U.S. Representative Sam Graves (MO-06) for a tour of Omaha Track Equipment’s (OTE) facility in Kansas City, Mo. Omaha Track provides products and services to Class 1 and short line railroads, rail contractors and industries across North America. Rep. Graves currently serves as the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. As Chairman, Rep. Graves leads the Committee as it has jurisdiction over all modes of transportation, including aviation, highways and bridges, transit and rail transportation, pipelines, and maritime and waterborne transportation. U.S. Rep. Graves also serves on the House Committee on Armed Services.

Bryan Boehm, president of OTE, and Terry Peterson, chief executive officer of Omaha Track, led and participated in an employee meeting with U.S. Rep. Graves and a tour through the facility.

“It was a great experience hosting Rep. Graves at our facility today. It is terric to know that we have someone in D.C. that understands the industry and the benefits that our company and others in the industry provide,” said Boehm.

U.S. Rep. Graves and those participating on the tour discussed the services Omaha Track and OTE provide and  touched on the economic benefit they generate for the states of Missouri and Kansas, and throughout the nation. “Omaha Track is a vital part of our economy, both in Missouri and throughout the country, providing critical services in the rail industry. It was great to see their Kansas City facility up close and discuss what they are currently working on with their team. I appreciated the opportunity to visit,” said Graves.

Founded in 1983, and celebrating their 41st year in business this year, Omaha Track provides products and services to Class 1 and Short Line railroads, rail contractors and industries across North America. Formerly known as the Tie Yard of Omaha, Omaha Track started with three employees, and employ over 300 people in North America. Omaha Track started by repurposing used railroad ties to landscape ties. Since then, Omaha Track has grown into one of the leading railroad material supply companies and services contractors in North

America by providing a variety of services and recycled railroad products to Class 1 and short line railroads, rail contractors, and other industries.

Omaha Track is a member of the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) and the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA), two U.S. trade associations that advocate on behalf of railroad contractors and suppliers. Additionally, Lisa Roberts, Chief Growth Officer, Omaha Track serves on NRC’s Board of Directors.

Other attendees participating in the tour and discussion in addition to Roberts, included Jim Hansen, Chief Commercial Officer, Herzog, Troy Elbert, Senior Vice President of Quality Assurance, and Rail Flaw Detection, and Mike McGonagle, NRC Vice President Government Affairs & Operations and REMSA Vice President Government Affairs.

About the NRC - The NRC is a U.S. trade association that advances the mutual interests of railway contractors and suppliers who construct, maintain and supply freight railroads and rail-transit and passenger lines. Founded in 1978, the NRC connects members with other railway industry professionals and government officials and policy makers. The NRC collaborates with its members, government, and industry leaders to create a positive business climate and to make railway construction and maintenance safer and more efficient.

About REMSA - REMSA’s mission is to provide global business development opportunities, to transfer knowledge about markets, products and the industry to members and their customers, and to support the initiatives advancing the North American railroad industry. REMSA was created in 1965 by the merger of the Association of Track and Structure Suppliers and the National Railway Appliances Association, two long-standing organizations in the railroad maintenance-of-way industry. The association represents companies and individuals who manufacture or sell maintenance-of-way equipment, products, and services, or are engineers, contractors and consultants working in construction and/or maintenance of railroad transportation facilities. REMSA members constitute a large part of the maintenance-of-way industry.