Railway Track & Structures - March 2009 - (Page 15)

Powley: My family is my foundation. I could not do what I do and be successful without their love and unconditional support. I have been married for 21 years to my wife, Sam, who incidentally comes from a Canadian National Railway rail family in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. We met on a blind date and I am still smitten to this day. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and marriage/family therapist working with families and at-risk children in her private practice and in the local schools teaching drug and alcohol avoidance. We have a beautiful and talented 16-year-old daughter, Kimberly, who attends a performing arts school in Northern California in the advanced dance program. She has earned the honor roll for the past two years taking AP courses and is eagerly planning her college campus tour next summer. We have two cats: Chuckie (a Calico who thinks she is a dog) and Hermione (a black and white Silky). AREMA: If you could share one interesting fact about yourself with the readers of RT&S, what would it be? Powley: I am a cancer survivor. I was diagnosed at the age of 22 and given less than 30 percent chance of survival. Three surgeries and six long weeks later I was still alive. That experience taught me to live each day to the fullest and take nothing for granted. It has instilled a joy and appreciation for life, my family, friends and my personal mantra: “Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting.”-- Napoleon Hill AREMA: What is your biggest achievement? Powley: Professionally, to have enjoyed such a long career in the rail industry and to be successful doing what I am passionate about; being voted chairman of Committee 12 by my peers, working together with them to further the development of more cost-efficient and safer rail technologies and mentoring the next generation of rail engineering professionals. AREMA: What advice would you give to someone who is trying to pursue a career in the railway industry? Powley: Do it. This is an exciting time in our industry with the proliferation of rail transit in North America and the prospect of high-speed rail becoming a reality in California and expanding nationally before I retire (hint, hint, President Obama); the opportunities are limitless. The educational opportunities are growing each year as more colleges such as my alma mater, the University of Wisconsin, Madison, expand their rail-focused curriculums though partnership with AREMA and APTA, along with the teaching and mentoring support of consultant firms such as HNTB and others. The Class 1 railroads have excellent training programs for young engineers of all disciplines. I am also encouraged by the dramatic increase in female enrollments and participation in our association and industry as a whole. If you are unsure which discipline is right for you, take advantage of the opportunity to join AREMA as a student affiliate member and participate in any one of the 29 committees available and start an AREMA student chapter on your campus. The experiences, associations and skills learned in AREMA will benefit you throughout your career. www.rtands.com Railway Track & Structures March 2009 15 http://www.rtands.com

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Railway Track & Structures - March 2009 Contents On Track Industry Today Supplier News AREMA News NRC News TTCI R&D NRC Smashes Attendance Bridge Inspection Battling Bugs Ballast Fundamentals Vital to Keeping Track in Shape Products and Literature People Calendar Sales Representatives Advertisers Index Website Directory Professional Directory Classified Advertising Chicago Perspective

Railway Track & Structures - March 2009

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