BNSF News

Ethanol Facility Team Members Bring It On

2009-10-12

When an ethanol market opportunity presented itself, a team of six employees was determined to make it pay off for BNSF, despite numerous challenges.

Specifically, the team was faced with a short time frame to meet customer needs and make significant maintenance upgrades to the existing customer-connection track. To complicate the upgrading, equipment and personnel were both scarce due to a large yard repair project being performed concurrently.

"Rail access to the new customer site required rehabilitation of an existing industry lead track," said Patrick Moynihan, director, Agricultural Planning and Development, based in Fort Worth, Texas. "The team developed a cost estimate to repair the track, secured capital funds to perform emergency maintenance, initiated repair work and worked closely with the customer to facilitate access to the site."

The group simultaneously secured the needed permits and approvals as well as coordinated efforts to allow the customer to receive rail service in a timely manner. "As a result of this cooperation, the customer was able to meet its aggressive commercial commitments to local ethanol consumers," Moynihan said. "This was a great example of teamwork between Operations and Marketing, and through this award, to Tim (Jenkins) and Gerald (Buzbee), we also recognize the entire Jasper, Ala.,-based Engineering team that accomplished this track work."

By early 2009, the Birmingham ethanol transload facility opened, yielding 4,500 units and $10 million annually in revenue for BNSF.

For their efforts, these individuals recently received a BNSF Achievement Award:

• William G. (Gerald) Buzbee, roadmaster, Jasper, Ala.

• Patti Cox, regional manager, Economic Development, Fort Worth, Texas

• Tim Jenkins, maintenance section foreman, Birmingham, Ala.

• Kevin Leddy, manager, Operations Planning and Analysis, Fort Worth, Texas

• Mahadevan Thantry, manager, Marketing, Fort Worth, Texas

• Christian Varela, manager, Marketing, Fort Worth, Texas.

The BNSF Achievement Award program, started in 1999, recognizes Team BNSF members who demonstrate BNSF's Vision and Values through initiative, efficiency, timeliness, vigilance, knowledge or innovation beyond normal job requirements. Every BNSF employee is eligible to be nominated for a BNSF Achievement Award. Employees may win more than one award during their careers. For more information about nominating a team or individual for an Achievement Award, visit the Communications tab on employee.bnsf.com

BNSF Headquarters

For more information on the company and its transportation solutions, visit the BNSF Web site at www.bnsf.com